"Jeff Dowder" wrote
I've got a small surface crack appearing in the center of my boom.
The yard
says I should drill a hole in each end of it to stop it from
spreading and
relieve the stress.

You have a talking lawn??!?

... An Air Force veteran told me the did the same
thing to
the aluminum on the planes when cracks appears and the same type of
technique is used on horse hooves when they crack. Since I'm not
cash rich
right now, I'd like to get two more reliable seasons out of this
boom. I'd
appreciate any input, thanks in advance.


They're right about relieveing the stress, this technique is fairly
common. But drilling holes at the ends of the crack are not going to do
anything about the stress which caused the crack in the first place.


Scott Vernon wrote:
What boat? Size boom? How long is the crack? End or mid boom
sheeting? Any attachments (bails) near the crack?


Important considerations! Also whether the crack is around the bottom of
the boom or lengthwise along the side.


The drilled holes will stop the crack from spreading, unless something
is very wrong and what caused the crack will continue to stress your
boom till it cracks again. If you're worried about it, why not take
the boom to a weld shop?


There's a very good idea. At the very least, some JB Weld! Personally
I'd think about laminating some S-glass tape along the boom over the
crack. Cheaper than a weld shop, unless you know the guy.


Whatever you do , DO NOT INSERT PIPE INSIDE THE BOOM!

uh-oh, You're going to get double-putzed now.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King