Beneteau First 26 - shortening boom by 2.5cm / 1 inch

[Jaco Versfeld]

Good day,


We have a 26 ft Beneteau First. The boom end is shot, and the pop rivets corroded the boom at the end quite badly.


I managed to import a boom end from the USA (to South Africa). The boom end contains the three sheaves for the three reefing lines.



Would it be possible to cut off 1 inch of the boom, in order to get a "fresh" section of the boom, or am I going to change some characteristics of the boom that would lead to undesired consequences?


I assume I should use some paste when refitting the new boom end?



Thanks,
J

[RaymondR]

If the foot of the sail is not too long for the shortened boom it should not cause a problem.

[psk125]

If the sail is too long to allow you to trim off the end of the boom, you might also be able to epoxy some aluminum patches over the corroded sections and re-rivet the new end fitting. Anti-oxydizing paste is a good idea.