[Public-List] another maintenance item

[gordon white via Public-List]

             Having had the topping lift fail last weekend - probably 
"original equipment" - I have been looking at other things of great age 
on the boat.

     My main sheet is attached to the aft end of the boom via a piece of 
stainless steel which is bolted (one bolt, probably stainless, maybe 3/8 
inch in diameter. )   It has a 9/16 hex head on it. It has not been 
removed at least since the mast (bent in a storm while at the pier) was 
replaced, 18 years ago. Maybe not since the boat was built in 1967.

     I was wondering if the bolt might have wear where the sheet tackle 
attaches. I put a wrench on it and with a pretty hefty attempted turn it 
would not budge. I hesitate to use a breaker bar with a three foot pipe 
on it as stainless is not as tough as, say, an AN bolt, and to break it 
off in the boom would be a mighty problem.

     I cannot see that the bolt is much worn. It may be "frozen" in the 
aluminum boom and possibly the best thing to do is leave it alone.

     Anyone have the bolt break?


Gordon White,

Brigadoon II