Last time I was out I noticed my reefing hook looked weird/bent. I hadn't given the gooseneck a close look in a while, so I took it off for a good look-see.
First question is - on the boom, should the hardware (like a heavy duty pin) rotate on the end of the boom (which would allow the boom to rotate length-wise in the gooseneck), because mine doesn't. Maybe it just needs a little lube? The pin isn't sitting vertically, either, it is off to one side.
The second issue is the gooseneck itself. I have the version that looks like this (cut-and-pasted from another gooseneck conversation on here from a few years ago, but it's the same):
My reef hooks were in the second of the two larger holes, the boom was in the lower one.
My main was in the lowest/farthest forward hole in the top section.The other holes were empty.
A few years ago I switched my main to loose-footed and used a double-swivel fitting for the main. I think that is the reason I moved the reef hooks down, but I can't remember.
The bolt I had been using for the reef hooks was bent way out of shape, I was surprised it was holding, plus the reef hooks swivel around, i.e., they hang upside down,and I have to move them to use them. This doesn't seem right.
Can someone post a pic of the same gooseneck installed?
I have a machinist friend that I may be able to wheedle into making a new gooseneck, beefier, stainless, longer-lasting. Is there any reason to chase down the original if a new one can do the same thing (hold the boom, hold down the sail, provide a place for the reef hook)?
Thanks for any suggestions,
Stephen
