Boom Question

guyaks · Post by **guyaks** » Sun May 02, 2010 4:27 am

When you have your mast up and your sail down, what prevents the boom from falling into the cockpit area?

When my sail is up the sail holds up my boom(the part that is hanging over the cockpit area), but when i lower my sail....i have my boom in the way.

is there an extra wire from the top of the mast which connects to the back of the boom?

i have a clip, which hangs off the wire( I think it is called the back stay?) which stops the mast from moving forward....am i supposed to have a rope or wire from that clip to the back of the boom?

my boat came without a boom, so i had to make one....so i might be missing some things...LOL

thanks again

Guy

EmergencyExit · Post by **EmergencyExit** » Sun May 02, 2010 5:00 am

You can run a bit of line from the masthead to a clip that attaches to the boom end, yes. Just unclip it when you hoist the sail.

You can also use a shorter line that attaches to the backstay above where the boom end would be and hold it up with that. Just don't forget to unclip it tho if you do it that way.

That longer line from the masthead will allow you to fully swing the boom from side to side when attached tho - the shorter line from part way up the backstay won't let the boom go far..

Alanhod · Post by **Alanhod** » Sun May 02, 2010 3:34 pm

Banshi · Post by **Banshi** » Mon May 03, 2010 6:30 am

Topping lift is the way to go as far as I am concerned. I use to hang it off the back stay but you have to hook/unhook it everytime you switch, now I just raise and lower the sail without touching it. If I was racing I would probably unhook it but the drag is negligible if you are just cruising around.

The line running up off the end of the boom is the topping lift which runs up through a block at the mast head and back down to a cleat on the side of the mast.[/url]

guyaks · Post by **guyaks** » Mon May 03, 2010 7:55 am

thank you for all the great pics and info....

when you run an extra line off the mast to the back of the boom, where do you suggest i attach the line on the top mast??

did i leave myself open with that question??

thanks again

Guy

CaptainScott · Post by **CaptainScott** » Mon May 03, 2010 8:14 am

Hey Guy,
Looks like you are going to use the topping lift suggested.

I was going to mention that my 22 is set up just like Alan's. It is much better than nothing however if you are starting from scratch use the topping lift suggested by EE. I will likely be changing mine over to a proper topping lift this year.

My vision is similar to EE's. I think I'll add a small turning block to the top and side of the mast. Run a small line up the side of the mast, through the block, and back down to the aft end of the boom to be clipped on just like Alans photo. The loose end of the line at the base of the mast will be simply cleated off. The reason I would use a block at the top of the mast and all the extra line run back down is I will be able to raise and lower the boom as needed. You can simply attatch the line at the top of the mast but hey, why not make it adjustable!

Another thought that I will be working on in a similar area is lazy jacks. Similar to your problem. Drop the sail and the boom PLUS sail end up on deck. With a proper topping lift and a set of Lazy Jacks ypou can lower the sail, the boom stays up, and the sail piles onto the top of the boom. This is great if you single hand your boat.

Scott

guyaks · Post by **guyaks** » Mon May 03, 2010 8:18 am

Hey Scott,

thanks for the advice....let me know when you get the Lazy jacks done...i am not sure what they are, but if it works...i will try it also.

i do hate the sail and boom falling to the deck, and getting in the way.

thanks again

Guy

Capt. Bondo · Post by **Capt. Bondo** » Mon May 03, 2010 8:44 am

I have also seen topping lifts with a block and cam cleat mounted on the rear of the boom. That allows you to adjust the topping lift right from the cockpit, and no extra lines on the mast.

CaptainScott · Post by **CaptainScott** » Mon May 03, 2010 8:58 am

No problem,
The lazy jacks are pretty common. Just google them to see what they are.

Basically a simple rope set up to catch the sail and keep it on the boom as you lower it. Drawbacks are the jack lines themselves sometimes catch on the battons when raising or sailing. There are jack systems that allow for the stowing of the lines up against the mast while raising and while sailing. I'll likely make a hybrid version. Looks like the cost of homemade will be about 50 bucks. You can buy them for upwards of 200 bucks but I'm to cheap for that.

I'll make a post asking if anyone here has them and what drawbacks or changes they'd make to what they have!

Scott

guyaks · Post by **guyaks** » Wed May 05, 2010 10:04 am

Just found a boom on craigslist....it was to another sailboat...but it almost the same length...also has the Block fiddle & the Block becket...and they are huge.....all for $45.00. i saw the blocks at ridiculous prices...

the also gave me their mast...like 25' but much light then the chrysler 22....hhmmm maybe i can switch them out...lol...not really.

they also through in some othe hardware..cleats, and pins and other cool stuff.

Alanhod · Post by **Alanhod** » Wed May 05, 2010 10:50 am

Sounds to me like you got a good deal!

Thanks
Alan

Banshi · Post by **Banshi** » Wed May 05, 2010 11:12 am

so just how big is the mast?

EmergencyExit · Post by **EmergencyExit** » Wed May 05, 2010 11:17 am

(Referring to Capt Scott's post) Been thinking about the Lazy Jacks for EE as well....

So EE has the the full length topping lift, and the Cal21 has the short line to the backstay. Here's another advantage to the full masthead lift, albeit a "forgetful old guy" one.

A few times I've been out with EE and looked at the boom end to find the topping lift still clipped. Forgot to unclip it, and really didn't notice for a while.

The first time I sailed the Cal21 I raised the sails and bore off to a reach, and the boom wouldn't go out at all. The wind was pretty stiff, and I was just heeling over like crazy, shaking and snatching on the main sheet trying to figure what was keeping it from running free in the blocks. Then I noticed the lift still attached to the boom. Since it only goes a couple feet and attaches to the backstay it won't let the boom move off center.

D-Duuuuhhhh.

guyaks · Post by **guyaks** » Wed May 05, 2010 11:39 am

I will measure the mast when i get home..it came off a 14' hobe Cat....i picked it up on my lunch hour, then just ran home and put it all in the garage...except the mast...it was too long. it is in the back yard...

Banshi · Post by **Banshi** » Wed May 05, 2010 4:49 pm

EE,

Yeah, I have been there done that and now that I have the full topping lift I don't even bother unhooking it. I also like mine run back to the mast so I can adjust it when I am raising, lowering or reefing the main.

EmergencyExit · Post by **EmergencyExit** » Wed May 05, 2010 5:08 pm

Banshi wrote:EE,

Yeah, I have been there done that

Then since we both have, let's blame it on the blazing southern summer sun on our heads