Gooseneck - another thing to check

[Craig Illman]

I had an unexpected maintenance event yesterday morning. The cotter pin that contains the gooseneck "pin" inside the fore end of the boom casting failed. Luckily, it happened just as we raised the main and the boom looked a bit funny. So, dropped the sail, boom supported by lazy jacks and fixed vang, then motored back to the slip. I've had a cap off a couple times, upgrading the outhaul, so it came apart easily and was back together in about an hour without a trip to WM. In hindsight, I should have replaced that cotter pin when I had the boom apart originally.

I'm glad it didn't happen in the middle of a hard blow and I'm glad I've had the boom apart and didn't have to deal with siezed screws and a tight casting.

Craig

[Mark Elkin]

Craig,
I've also had that cotter pin sheer off (a couple times).  Once was on the way back from Santa Catalina island to San Diego.  Sure took the joy out of sailing that day.

Anyway, after several time, I chose to replace the cotter pin with a stainless machine screw.  I got a tap and "threaded" the cotter pin hole and installed the screw in it's place, with a health dose of lanocote to be on the safe side.  It's been 4 years now and no sheered "cotter pin" problems any more.

BTW, I think part of the sheering problem is due to wear induced enlargement of the boom end cap hole.  The hole is large enough now to allow the gooseneck pin to wiggle 10-15 degrees from "a straight centerline" of the boom.  For me, it is probably time to call Catalina parts dept and obtain another boom end cap (if possible).