Re spares..Thats promising..I must admit the part of me that doesn't think about the wallet went Yeehaa! when I saw the damage..I can finally get a a decent boom!

Better research cheap options first

although if I do upgrade Ill have a boom long enough to fit my 6.2m sail! I wont have to work the boom down from the top over the batten ends & Ill be able to outhaul it properly!

A while ago when I was talking to one of the shops they said that you couldnt get a mast fitting that wide anymore..