I have a quick release goose neck which has been great when repositioning the boom, but my concern with the quick release is that the screw extends about a ¼ to ½ inch below the nut. I have already notice a scratch on the aluminum boom and I am concerned it could damage the deck as well. What do you guys use to protect these surfaces? I was thinking of plumbers putty on the screw, but it doesn’t seem permanent.
I have a quick release goose neck which has been great when repositioning the boom, but my concern with the quick release is that the screw extends about a ¼ to ½ inch below the nut. I have already notice a scratch on the aluminum boom and I am concerned it could damage the deck as well. What do you guys use to protect these surfaces? I was thinking of plumbers putty on the screw, but it doesn’t seem permanent.
Cap nut does it! I don't know what I was thinking (or not thinking). I'm glad there is a forum like this to get that extra pair of eyes on the problem.
Great, tricks like that have been used on Sunfish for years.
A plastic acorn nut used to be a standard addition to the tiller extension pivot bolt and the boom/gaff lower eyebolt, but I guess they started sizing the bolts more closely for a non-protruding fit.
There is also the inverted boom end cap trick..., installing a clew end cap at the tack and facing the outhaul eye down to protect the deck from eyebolt scratches.
Frozen pinch bolts I cut with a hack saw so the boom can be removed.
Once the boom is out of the way the gooseneck can be clamped into a padded vise.
Some sort of rust-buster, vise-grips, and patient working back and forth removes the cut pinch bolt pieces. Drilling out as a last resort. Never worried about the threads in the older style gooseneck since I always go back in with a QR bolt.
Pivot bolt, lots of soaking with penetrating oil, gentle yet firm twisting pressure after a 24 hr soak. If it works free, a wash with mineral spirits, blow dry with compressed air to remove any lingering penetrating oil, and a good soak with a (these days) Teflon lube.
Never try and remove the pivot bolt nut, it's been peened onto the bolt threads and will not hold again once removed.