Correct gooseneck

sblanck

sblanck

Member
So I picked up a Starfish sailboat last summer with a Sunfish sail. Had it out couple of times and now reading the forum and learning about the rig I noticed my goose neck isnt snug on the lower boom. I checked and the fastening screw is as tight as it will go. So now I dont know if i have the correct spars or the correct gooseneck. How does one check?

Thanks
 
Sunfish booms are 1.25" in diameter. The mast is 2.25". I'm not sure if the starfish spar diameters are different but this should serve as a good starting reference. If the starfish booms are smaller, it's likely the previous owner had an easier time finding a sunfish gooseneck for replacement. You could try jamming a piece of rubber (like innertube from a bike tire) or wrap some heavy duty tape around the boom, to snug up the gooseneck as a cheap yet effective solution.
 
It's possible that the spar has been partially crushed in the area that you're clamping. Depending on the boom's position above your head while sailing, try clamping about an inch closer to where the spars connect (best)—or the other direction. If the clamp has used up all of its clamping force, you can file or grind off some bronze material between the edges to make it fit. Some Sunfish I've seen have electrical tape to protect the spar at the clamping point, which might work for you.

These might help:
http://sailingforums.com/threads/is-it-possible-to-make-sunfish-spars.18255/
http://sailingforums.com/threads/sunfish-spars-dimensions-treating.10968/
http://sailingforums.com/threads/id-this-boat-sunfish.15531/
 
sinogin said:
Sunfish booms are 1.25" in diameter. The mast is 2.25". I'm not sure if the starfish spar diameters are different but this should serve as a good starting reference. If the starfish booms are smaller, it's likely the previous owner had an easier time finding a sunfish gooseneck for replacement. You could try jamming a piece of rubber (like innertube from a bike tire) or wrap some heavy duty tape around the boom, to snug up the gooseneck as a cheap yet effective solution.
Click to expand...
I don't think it matters if you have the correct spars or gooseneck. The boat is very old and you won't find any Starfish parts for sale unless you are lucky. Sinogin has the right solution, and the innertube is probably the best choice.
 
This gooseneck is about an 1/8" too large for the boom. No damage or swedging can be seen on the boom.
The sail is a sunfish and it fits the upper and lower booms in length. A Starfish sail is larger so I would guess that the spars for it would be slightly longer. The gooseneck has 1/8" of play the entire length of the boom. Right now I have a lashing at in front and back of the gooseneck to keep it in place.
 
Light and Variable is correct. Older goosenecks that used the screw to tighten, often used up all of the clamping force. New ones have a bigger gap since we use quick releases.
shoreline_sunfish_gooseneck.jpg


You can file or grind off some bronze material between the edges to make it fit, just have to be careful not to do too much, if you are going to stick with the screw.
 
Sunfish Specs:
Material: 6061-T6 Aluminum Alloy
Mast -
Style: Round Tube
Finish: Clear Anodized
Length: 10' (3.05 m)
OD: 2-1/4" (57.15 mm)
Wall Thickness: .083" (2.11 mm)

Spars -
Style: Round Tube
Finish: Clear Anodized
Length: 13' 8" (4.17 m)
OD 1-1/2" (38.1 mm)
Wall Thickness: .065" (1.65 mm)

I like to use gaffer's tape between the goosneck and spars, it is cloth provides a barrier that slows down electrolysis between the dissimilar metals.
http://www.amazon.com/Pro-Gaffers-Widths-Variable-Lengths/dp/B004PX4ZBS
 
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