Drill new holes to replace eye strap on boom??

[annettepanon]

Hi,
I'm replacing the lacing eye on my boom. I have rivets, eye, drill, rivet gun. I'd love to not have to drill new holes but I want to do the job properly. Any advice appreciated.

 

[LaLi]

Not only do you not have to drill new holes - you're not even allowed to! (If the old ones are usable, that is.)

With "lacing eye" I assume you mean the sheet eyestrap between the blocks? And you're changing from a metal to soft strap?

 

[annettepanon]

Yes, I mean the sheet eyestrap. Ok, then my next step is to carefully punch out the shank of the rivet that held the old plastic eye. I've already drilled out the rivet head. I just don't want to screw it up.

 

[Int. Sailing Academy]

As long as the holes aren't damaged or drilled out you should re-use them. The standard rivet size is 3/16.

 

[annettepanon]

Thank you. I have 3/16 rivets.