Boom parts - 383

[sassy]

I think they're called sheaves, the "pullies" that the main
reefing lines run through in the boom. Mine are shot. Anyone
know where to get them? Can you buy the plastic without the
metal core? Appreciate any help.

 

[aistqm]

<div>I replaced some of mine at West Marine. You may have to make some modifications. I replaced the ones at the gooseneck and had to enlarge the hole by 1/16 of an inch. The sheeves were nylon and it wasn't a difficult task. They have a sheeves made from plastic, nylon and aluminum.Jay
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[bert]

<div>One of my sheaves at the end of the boom self distructed and of course at the worst possible time, resulting in a reef line being jammed up at the end of the boom and having to be cut, all in a squall with 45 knot winds. Quite exciting. Metal sheaves are better.Another thing to consider is abandoning the internal system and going to external blocks. I sail on San Francisco Bay and reefing becomes a daily necessity on summer afternoons. The problem with the internal system is that the angle of pull is too narrow with the pull coming from the end of the boom, especially for a second reef. In order to get the reef tight you have to stretch the foot excessively. Both my rigger and my sailmaker advised going with a simple cheek block, properly positioned for the depth of the reef, and the line led forward to a small snubbing winch near the gooseneck. This works perfectally, and if something goes wrong it isn't inside the boom where you can't get at it. I can pop in a nice tight reef in under a minute when it counts the most.
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[don]

On our boat, there are three sheaves at the aft end of the boom, one for the outhaul, one for the topping lift, and one for the first reefing line (second reefing line is external). When our plastic sheaves broke, I replaced them with aluminum, in the hope of avoiding exactly the experience that Jimmie Zinn describes in his post. I'd second his recommendation to use metal here. I happened to have some that fit, so I can't help with sourcing, but they're probably a standard size. Those little ones at the forward end of the boom seem to be another story.