Norm, Closing the slot was pretty easy by just tapping it with a 16oz hammer. I did it when the mast was stepped, one hand supporting the mast while tapping it lightly. I opened the new slot with an Estwing nail puller. I mention the name because it is unique in that the flat nail puller is 90 degrees to the handle and not the curve type. This worked well. I was thinking of using a big screwdriver with a vise grip clamped on the shaft so I could get some leverage. The aluminum is very easy to shape so just go easy both ways. I made the new opening considerably smaller than the old one, just large enough to feed the sail slugs in after the gooseneck is in. I used a sail stop to hold the boom above the new opening. I found that the gooseneck slide was a bit smaller than the 1/2" sail stop slide so once the stop was in the opening I tweaked it a little so gooseneck would go in and out, but the sail stop would not come out. I don't have a picture, but I'll take one on Thursday and send it to you. I might try tomorrow, but I'm leaving home very early and might not get home before dark. Rick

Rick, what did you use to close the original slot, and what did you use to make the new one? Do you have a picture of your new location?

Norm Bundek M15 #172