Not sure what's happened or what I'm missing here, has a bolt or nut sheared off? If so is this something I can replace from a hardware store or do I need a new head?

Zed, if I'm looking at it right, and that's the pivot for the lever, mines the same both sides of my old Chinook. Mine's a philips head screw and flat washer, as I said looks the same both sides. I don't know if they screw into each other from either side but suspect they might. Give Surf Sail a yell ?

Edit, didn't notice 2nd photo but as said it's a screw and washer, same both sides and I'd bet they screw into each other ?

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firiebob said...
Zed, if I'm looking at it right, and that's the pivot for the lever, mines the same both sides of my old Chinook. Mine's a philips head screw and flat washer, as I said looks the same both sides. I don't know if they screw into each other from either side but suspect they might. Give Surf Sail a yell ?

Edit, didn't notice 2nd photo but as said it's a screw and washer, same both sides and I'd bet they screw into each other ?

Yup so it looks like the head of the screw has sheared off.
The rest of the screw is buried in there, I guess I need to drill it out??

I own two of these, so I thought I'd take a minute to take the screw out and show you what it looks like. The screw looks to be about 10 gauge, and an inch long.

If the screw is buried in there, I have read that heating it with a soldering iron is a good idea. If you can get a grip on it, or use a dremel to cut a slot in it, heat it with the iron to melt the plastic a bit to allow it to spin out.

Exactly the same screw broke on mine two days ago! Easy enough to drill out with a small drill, jam something in the hole and unscrew. It's a self tapper in plastic so easy. Use the remains to buy another The screw and washer on the other side is probably the same size.

I used a 2mm drill and only drilling a couple of mm

Find a left handed drill bit, when it catches it will unscrew the broken bit. I have had better luck with LH drill bits than easy outs with automotive stuff.

Its easy to get out, I drilled the hole in a little way, then just jammed the end of pointy-nose pliers and and got a few turns out. Enough to grab the end of the screw with the pliers and unscrew the rest of the way. Literally a two minute job. I just replaced the other screw in mine because there must be something wrong with those screws.

My Chinook boom came apart last year.
I still have the head. You are welcome to it.

I'm not sure if you are referring to the OP from NSW. If he/she is not interested in your generous offer of a spare Chinook head... I'm from WA and like the idea of a spare part. I really like the boom bit a bit nervous having broken a screw on the first sail.

I'm happy to pass it on to anyone who may use it.

The boom was, I think, 2014.
Now that I have had a better look it may not be the same model. The front of this one is flat. The one above - boom pipes come in at an angle.

Looks like this - but in a blue shade instead of white :

Your's looks pretty new-fangled compared to mine which is about 8 years old ... as I suspect the OPs is.

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Agrid said..
Your's looks pretty new-fangled compared to mine which is about 8 years old ... as I suspect the OPs is.

Yes, only 2 years old boom...no rust where it broke - just my (substantial) weight on the upwind sailing.

chinooksailing.com/
For any parts or advice, they are very helpful and ship anywhere.