roller reef boom. Stay? Go?

deckhanddave · #1 (**permalink**) 04-17-2007

While making to do list for my T30 project, I remembered that I have one of those funky old roller reefing booms. I also remembered that sometime in the boat's past, the old slide track gooseneck had snapped off from the boom and the PO had the replacement gooseneck bracket screwed directly into the mast by 8 large screws. I know this not only from the general newness of the bracket but because the old sail track goosneck is still there. Removing it would have required removing the mast so the PO left it there. I have no plans to run roller reefing (she's set up for slab right now and I like it that way) and considering the age and unneeded complexity of the boom I wonder if removing it would be better. According to dwyer mast I can buy my boom and all fittings for about $600-$750. Good idea? No point? I have lots to do on the boat so that six or seven hundred won't be burning a hole in my pocket.

chris_gee · #2 (**permalink**) 04-17-2007

No point the slab works. Just check the screws are "insulated".

sailingdog · #3 (**permalink**) 04-17-2007

Yes, take the screws out, coat them with TefGel or Lanocote, re-install. No point in spending the money if the current boom is working for you.

sailingfool · #4 (**permalink**) 04-17-2007

My question is whether you have the main halyard on a winch that permits tensioning the luff of the main adequately. One reason for the adjustable gooseneck on smaller boats was to permit adjusting luff tension. After raising themain full hoist, you can lean on the gooseneck and secure it after tensioning the luff.

You want to be able to tension the luff or you'll be fighting an uphill battle going to windward in a breeze, or with a reef in...If you have a winch in use, you're all set. If you only have the halyard, I'd think you need to do something - add a winch, or restore the moveable gooseneck.

The T30 is a lovely boat, a real work of art that gives me a big smile everytime I see one. Enjoy.

sailingdog · #5 (**permalink**) 04-17-2007

On a medium to smaller boat, one easy way to tension the main halyard is to install a line clutch above the cleat for the main halyard. Once you've got it to full hoist, you cleat off the line and close the line clutch. Then you can sweat the line up, using all of your body weight—pulling the line out—away from the mast, and the line clutch will hold it until you can cleat it off again. You can get an awful lot of tension on the mainsail this way.

deckhanddave · #6 (**permalink**) 04-17-2007

Good point on the screws, I'll be checking them when the mast comes down. I guess my main question was the integrity of this old boom. I'll keep the boom on the list of "to do" but not anywhere near the top. There are 2 halyard winches at the mast for the luff buisness but the two things I don't seem to have (haven't sailed her yet) are a vang(!) and a cunningham. There are bails on the boom for a vang I just can't find one. Thanks guys, keep tuned for more T30 project questions.

T34C · #7 (**permalink**) 04-17-2007

Dave- I too have the old roller boom. It has worked well and I haven't had any reason to replace. My was converted to mid-boom sheeting and couldn't roll now even if I wanted it to. Additionally I added vang to it and cunningham is set to go on next trip to the boat.

deckhanddave · #8 (**permalink**) 04-17-2007

The T30 specs call for an aluminum boom with a 2.75x4.5" eliptical section. If I remember the roller boom is about 3.5" round. I'm betting the eliptical is stronger but I'd love to see some blue prints on the boom to figure out its specs. T34C, is your gooseneck screwed into place or is it in the sail feed?