I have a Fiberspar 220-268 100% carbon boom that has dud twist locks on it.(worn out tangs)
I have a 50c mod I can do to keep the twist locks in action, but am considering replacing the twist locks to make boom 100% again.
However, the boom is some 20cm longer than I need at full collapse.
Is there any way of cutting 20cm out of each arm, without stuffing the boom so I have a 200-248 cm Boom that is still fully functional?(with new twist locks fitted of course.)
Anybody out there done a mod such as this.
A new carbon boom is out of question
wallet is very light![]()
I'm not sure, but consider you're max size as well, I wouldn't want to run at Max extension on the biggest sail.
I have a similar problem with my carbon boom. I tried fiberglassing the area around the tang hole, worked for a while, but last time I was out, the fiberglass gave way.
I'll have a look tomorrow at shortening both arms a bit, might just work.
Before cutting, I would make sure that in the new position the end of the clew bit was inside a straight part of the arm.
Otherwise you won't be able to push the boom to min extension due to the curve of the arm.
Then you'd have to start cutting bits off the ends of the clew bit to make it all work, which would make the whole boom floppier... Argh nightmare!
Mike,
Speak to Paul K at Hydrodynamics,
he's probably got a fix for you before you take um hackumsawum to ya kaboom
I think the twist locks are the same on my old NP carbon boom. The shop called them ferrals. These can be replaced and it worked on my boom.
I've just bought an x9 for a bargain price second hand and it's very impressive. Stiff to full extension.
On the topic of cutting carbon booms, I have two broken booms that I want to make into one.
The good arms were from a twist lock boom, the good tail is from a newer 2-pin system.
Is it possible to just drill holes in the good arms, fit the 2-pin collars and start using the good tail with it? It's the hole drilling I'm most concerned about.
I don't see a problem providing diameter is right, if there's too much of a gap, the pins aren't going to engage fully. The boom will then slip under load, wearing the holes.
If youre drilling the arms. It would be a big help if you could get the use of a pillar drill. Make a fence up so the holes are bang on in the centre. It might be an idea to use a drill slightly smaller than required and then drill to size. The hole will be a lot cleaner. Like Paul suggested sand the holes gently afterwards. I didnt do this and impaled myself with a 40mm carbon splinter. I know this as i measured it ![]()
Thanks Paul, appreciate you help on this ![]()
yep found out about splinters when I trashed a mast early this year![]()
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