Boomkin Stay Rigging

• Action: To Do List item A0072 - Replace boomkin stay rigging.
• Action: To Do List item A0171 – Replace both boomkin stay turnbuckles and stay rig wire.
• Action: To Do List item A0172 – Obtain new boomkin stay double toggle triangle bracket mount bolt nuts.
• Completed: 11 February 2017
• Cost: $482.28

The problems of bent turnbuckles and corrosion were the principal reasons for changing the boomkin stay rigging, besides the age of the rig.  As we had previously changed the whisker and bobstay stay rigging, we felt confident in this task.  First we did the recommended pin-to-pin measurements which for the starboard stay was 9′ 2″ and the port stay was 9' - the difference of two inches between the stays was attributed to the difference in the position of the stay mount brackets on the aft hull.   The rigging was removed and placed on the ground for further measurements.

When the rig was placed on the ground, noticed another rig pin with pit corrosion.

The boomkin stay mount bracket bolts had corrosion present and two nuts had no bolt threads showing - the bolt lengths were to short.  Replaced five of the six bolts with 5/16"-18 x 2-1/2" Grade 316 stainless steel hex cap screws and nylon insert lock nuts obtained from the Fastenal Company website at a cost of $8.75.  Also obtained  three 5/8"-11 Grade 316 stainless steel nylon insert lock and three regular nuts from the Fastenal Company website at a cost of $16.77 for the triangle stay bracket primary attach bolt stud - the previous nut had disintegrated on removal due to excessive corrosion and metal fatigue stress.

A Sta-Lok Swageless Terminal toggle fork was attached to the end of 1/4 inch 316 stainless steel wire.  Regular pliers were used to unravel the outer wire strands with a simple single twist.  The slide wedge cone was placed on the inner wire strands and positioned for initial assembly.   The assembly was screwed together and then disassembled revealing correct bend of the wire ends.  Applied  a little Forespar LanoCote anti-corrosive paste to the wire ends, applied 3M Marine Adhesive/Sealant Fast Cure 4200 ($19.14) into the fitting cap, and red thread locker on the threads, prior to final tightening.  The desired result was obtained as the sealant oozed up and out the terminal end sealing off the wire from possible water intrusion.

With the toggle fork attached to the 1/4 inch wire, it was held in place with a large screw driver with the end of the old original rigging stay, so final measurement could be performed.  The length of wire for the port stay was cut at 7' 8.5"  and the starboard stay was cut at 7' 10.5".  Next attached the Sta-Loc 1/2 inch pin eye terminal to the end of the wire.  The eye terminals were attached to the new Hayn Marine turnbuckles, and then were attached to the triangle mount bracket.

The rig assembly was installed and tightened.

The cost for each assembly is listed below: