New boom - Indonesia

[marramarra]

We were careless, and managed to break our boom, and we need to get a new one. We are in Indonesia, sailing the southern islands (Flores, Lombok, Bali) and making our way to Singapore, Malysia and Thailand via a detour to Kalimantan.

We are sailing quite well just using our headsail as the wind is generally behind us or on the beam, but we do want to replace the boom. We haven't bothered to jury rig anything yet, but can use a timber beam if we need to.

Does anyone know of a good reliable mast/boom fabricator in Singapore - or better still in central western Indonesia?

We are talking to European fabricators, but it is difficult and expensive to ship a boom to us.

[haiqu]

Assuming a timber boom (I can't see how you'd break an Aluminium one) you should be able to have it fabricated almost anywhere in that area quite cheaply. I wouldn't do it in Singapore due to their much higher labour costs, but Bali and Thailand both have yacht building industries. No specific fabricators known, Auzzee should be able to help there.

[Auzzee]

There is a big sailing fraternity in Thailand and Malaysia. I would start by calling Rolly Tasker sails in Phuket. They have the world's biggest sail loft and a full mast and rigging department. I know they will be cheaper than a rigger in Oz, but they will still be a bit pricey by Asian standards. Otherwise, you could contact the Royal Selangor Yacht Club in Port Klang if you are heading into Malaysia and ask for advice from some of the many cruisers who head there at this time of the year. Once again there are some world class maintenance concerns there to deal with everything from the maxis which contest the Raja Muda Cup, to the skiffs, lasers and tasers sailed by the local juniors.

If I was looking for a solid, not necessarily brand new spar, I would wait until I got into port and have a chat with the locals. The Thais are nothing if not inventive. There will be someone who knows someone, who knows where there is a derelict sailing boat being used as a chicken coop somewhere...etc etc etc.

Finally the locals in Lombok are some of the best woodworkers and carvers in Asia. They are masters when it comes to using teak and rainforest hardwoods. If timber is your preference, I would try to have one shaped, then decorated in Lombok. Cheap, good and filled with character.

Cheers.

[svhoneybee]

Yacht Worx in Telaga, Langkawi, do rigging work if you can stagger that far on a jury rig. Lankawi has the advantage of being duty free when it comes to importing anything for the repairs.

yacht worx langkawi


Phuket undoubtedly has the skills you need to do a new boom, but prices on anything imported are really high.

Peter, who runs the marina at Medana Bay, Lombok, would undoubtedly have some good advice for you. Last year on the Sail2Indonesia Rally, a few people with engineering issues called into Bali for repairs and seemed to be moderately happy with the outcomes.

Good luck with it all. At least you are on a downwind run.

[marramarra]

Thanks all. We will probably try do something temporary in Lombok, with something more substantial in Malaysia - probably Langkawi for duty free. In the meantime, we have a very big headsail, and are making good speeds as we are downwind. When there's wind that is, but not much of it at the moment.

[svhoneybee]

One more thought. If you are currently doing Sail2Indonesia, just ask Raymond. He really does know a lot and has a vast number of contacts across Indonesia. Lot of fun as well!!

[marramarra]

We are on the Sail 2 Indonesia rally, and have discussed with Raymond. Will probably wait for Langkawi for a few things, as duty is very high, but there are some things that we will get sent to Lombok. I think there are many parts for many boats on the way to Lombok, which is just on 3 weeks away.

[redbopeep]

If it is a timber (wood) boom, it should be able to be repaired without too much fuss almost anywhere. Is it wood or aluminum? Just curious really. Best of luck!

[marramarra]

The boom was 30 year old aluminium. It broke where the old ss vang fitting used to be before we put a solid rod kicker in. There was corrosion there as would be expected with ss and aluminium have been screwed together for all that time. It was after a well executed and controlled gybe that turned into a disaster when the helms person turned the wrong way as the boom brake was being applied, but not yet secured.

We are thinking bamboo for now, with aluminium to come in Langkawi (duty free).

[Auzzee]

Only a slight deviation for those who have yet to discover the magic tubey stuff I allude to below:

It is well worth considering for all new stainless steel to aluminium joints to use barium chromate paste. This stops any reaction between the dissimilar metals. The paste should be used when installing mast steps, using any self tapping screws into aluminium, stainless through bolts etc. etc. etc.

Whenever a bond is broken (say for servicing or for renewing a fitting), barium chromate paste is the compound to use and there will be no pitting and no powdery white corrosion.

Good chandleries will sell it in tubes; a tube will seemingly last forever, and as long as the cap is replaced after each use, the product will not deteriorate over time.

It is simply a matter of 'buttering' both surfaces with a coat of paste and dipping the threads of screws.

Hey presto!

[haiqu]

I feel aluminated.

[svhoneybee]

Duralac is one example of the brew mentioned by Auzzee. Magic stuff when you are using dissimilar metals.

[Auzzee]

Ah yes....Tubey stuff = Duralac.

[Oldsquizzy]

Mhhhh, almost sounds like something one would wear...

[Auzzee]

Top line for protection.....!

[svhoneybee]

Last years Sail2Indonesia Rally produced this innovation. One of the cats carelessly misplaced a rudder. A local motor cycle repair shop knocked up this steel replacement. Pretty heavy, but it got them to Pangkor Marina in Malaysia where a less sturdy replacement was done.

I'm sure that a bamboo boom is possible with a bit of creativity.