Laser, Spars & fittings, Boom end block strap replacement kit

Description

Laser, Spars & fittings, Boom end block repair kit

For various reasons the rivets holding the boom end mainsheet block can become loose.

Electrolytic / galvanic corrosion – On older boats especially those regularly sailing in salt water. Over the years electrolytic / galvanic corrosion can steadily enlarge the size of the rivet holes allowing the rivets to eventually be pulled through.

Mechanical force – Following the lead of the “elite” sailors many of who set up their rigs either on the ground alongside their boats or on top of the boats themselves.  They do this to avoid their sails flapping in the wind for protracted periods of time particularly when the “D” flag is being used by the race officer to hold the fleet ashore. Typically when the “D” flag is lowered there is 60 minutes to the start of the first race. This does not leave much time to rig a boat, launch, sail to the start line & prepare for the race. This method potentially maximises the time on the water before the race & reduces the chances & stress of being late for the start whilst maintaining the condition of the sail. The only trouble with this method is that it requires a good deal of strength & skill to raise the rig without issue from horizontal either on the boat or from the ground alongside it. If the end of the boom touches the ground then the force in the rig is often transmitted to the ground through the block resulting in the block levering against the eye strap with sufficient force to either bend the eye strap &/or loosen the rivets…

This kit is designed to enable the removal of the boom end cap & replace the rivets with bolts.

The kit contains:

1 x Block eye strap

1 x Outhaul eye

4 x bolts with washers & nylock nuts

1 x screw

Instructions.

If you are familiar with doing the job or working with tools then with the right tools this kit will enable you to complete the job quite quickly. However it would be best to allow an hour to do it & not to try to rush it just before a race…