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Think he means the bit that the clew bolt goes through, not the reefing hook(?)

Mac26Mpaul wrote:Think he means the bit that the clew bolt goes through, not the reefing hook(?)

Right. Not the hook.

The U Bolt thingy. I have the reefing hook, but not that U Bolt thing.

I had the same arrangement on my old trailer sailer which used a bolt rope. If you have sail slugs now I would suggest carefully hammering the edges of the opening back to their original position and then cutting a small section out to insert the slugs fairly close to the boom so that you may not even need a gate and use the much simpler slug stop instead.

Cheers Nick

I would suggest carefully hammering the edges of the opening back to their original position

Nick,

Is this something you have done, or is it theory

Ray

I have only done a partial closure of the gate on my old TS and did not have any problems. However it had a more square profile on the trailing edge so it was simple to tap down the edges. As long as cracks don't occur it should be achievable. Aluminium (aluminum) is fairly malleable.

Cheers Nick

Yep, I did consider attempting to bash it in with a rubber mallet as that will make it much easier - just cut a small piece out as you say, but to be honest, I'm a little scared that my once pretty mast will end up with the two left handed guy - bashed and mangled, kind of a look

I took a hammer to mine and carefully closed the gate to about half its original size. Pretty easy and simple. I was worried about beating on my mast but then I thought of all the holes I had already drilled in the boat and said what the heck.

Russell

I used a piece od wood and a regular hammer, that makes sure that you don't hammer more than nedded and leaves no marks. Also, use your body against the mast.

alright, I will have to work myself up to it, but I'm gunna give it a go I reckon...