[Public-List] Gooseneck track repair and replacement

[John Maliszewski]

Jonathan, you should be happy that this particular problem on your boat
(#262) had been solved a long time ago. The piece of teak or whatever
Whitby used as the track spacer had been replaced with a piece of naval
brass machined to size. This peculiar Whitby construction formed a less
expensive "T" and served its purpose for many years. In this case, after
creating a brass spacer machined to size with clearance holes, I simply
shifted the hole pattern by half of the pitch of the existing holes on the
mast, and drilled and tapped a new set of mounting holes. The mast cross
section thickness of the flat section of the mast is .167 inches and the
inside flat measures 1.700 inches. ( I will ask George D. to publish a
dimensioned cross section drawing of the mast on the A30 website.)
Given 1/4 -20 thread screws that should give a full three
treads engagement in the flat portion of the mast. Introducing a new backup
plate is more trouble than it is worth.
The original problem is that the wooden spacer deteriorates over time and
allows the rail portion of the "T" to move and even perhaps become
completely loose. Loose state of this engagement point reduces considerably
the strength of the gooseneck assembly mounting, especially during the
accidental jibes, and leads to broken screws or compromised treads in the
mounting holes.

John Maliszewski