Boom mainsheet replacement

[Ben]

Recently I lost the bale attaching the mainsheet to the boom during a jib, upon inspection the ss bolt that had passed thru the boom holding the bale had snapped at a point which was inside the spacer tube out of site from casual inspection. I suspect some interior corrosion and work hardening were the cause as well as the strong force of the jib.

I was thinking of replacing the whole set up with vectran and was wondering about anyone's experience with this method and recommendations on rope size and knots so that the upper set of blocks to the mainsheet can be secured.

[benz]

Hi Ben,

The simplest way to attach a mainsheet to a boom is to tie a piece of rope or webbing around the boom and clip or shackle the upper block or the mainsheet to it. If you have already a made-up rope gasket you can probably slip it over the boom end or if its long enough simply girth-hitch it. If chafe or sun damage is a concern it can be served or if it will fit, threaded through a piece of tubular nylon webbing to keep the sun off. You can probably use the existing hole that the bail was attached though to rig a simple lashing and keep the rope loop from sliding fore and aft on the boom.
After seeing many different sorts of mainsheet attachment of various complication, I'm convinced there is no better way if the geography of your boom will allow it.
Best,
Ben Z
PS
Can't say what size materials to use not knowing the size of your boat, boom or mainsheet. But with a piece so small, going big on size won't add measurable weight.