J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Forum The Boat, Sails and Equipment aging aluminum

So I hit the boom ends with crushed walnut from the media blaster, took care of the flecked old primer and cleaned it up pretty well. Washed and rinsed with vinegar (acid neutralizes aluminum corrosion apparently). Two coats of aluminum etching primer and three coats of flat black enamel later... it looks pretty good.

I've re-installed the sheaves and now I'm attacking the corroded screws and bolts in the boom itself intending to clean it up and give it a coat of enamel as well. Most screws and bolts are corroded into place so I'm soaking them with sprays of pb blaster and wd-40. When I take the torch to them, hopefully they'll free up.

The main sheet attachment half-loop bolt thingy-mabob (that's the technical term) has worn its hold into an elliptical gap so I think i'd like to either drill a new hole or use a soft tether (like the new maxi boats!) to re-secure the main sheet connection i.e. Should I pass the webbing for the soft tether through the worn holes or over the boom itself?

Just thinking out loud