I'm a sailing newbie and I've sailed my '77' widgeon about 6 times last year. I thought I had all the rigging figured out until... a big wind gust lifted the boom gooseneck out of the mast track, thank God I caught the boom and was able knee the tiller and turn into the wind before I went in the drink, wow, never want that to happen again. I glanced over to a guy in a nearby canoe and his mouth was open so far, you could have fit an orange in it! The boat did not have rigging of any kind for this area when I bought it, I have since made up a small (about 1') line with snap shackles to keep the boom from pulling out of the mast. I have one end (probably incorrectly) connected to the bottom ring on the sliding gooseneck and the other end connected to the lowest connector on the mast, (below the halyard cleats). I have seen many boats with a two block / line setup mounting near the bottom of the mast and several feet out on the boom. Any correct pictures would be very helpful and any information where I could get a good setup for this would really, really be appreciated! Thanks for your time, Jon
77 Widgeon Rigging (Fit an orange in it)
- Thread starter Jon1604
- Start date
- Status
Many Thanks
I was running downwind when this happened, I was holding the main sheet which seems to maintain downward pressure on the aft end of the boom. But the tack end of the boom slid up and out of the slot. I'll continue to use the setup I have to maintain luff tension and keep the boom down until I can get a boom vang. The rest of your reply is very helpful, I continue to read and learn about sailing and plan on taking a course in Havre De Grace this spring. This is certainly a sport that is not learned or mastered quickly, but I having tons of fun and enjoyment as a beginner. Thanks again, Jon
I was running downwind when this happened, I was holding the main sheet which seems to maintain downward pressure on the aft end of the boom. But the tack end of the boom slid up and out of the slot. I'll continue to use the setup I have to maintain luff tension and keep the boom down until I can get a boom vang. The rest of your reply is very helpful, I continue to read and learn about sailing and plan on taking a course in Havre De Grace this spring. This is certainly a sport that is not learned or mastered quickly, but I having tons of fun and enjoyment as a beginner. Thanks again, Jon
Fun is the name of the game
Jon, My boat is only about 22 feet long, and it's not too small or too big. I have a blast just hanging out on it in my favorite gunk holes when I'm not sailing her. She's very shoal draft and allows me to sail up the river channel at low tides, and anchor in coves that other boats might not be able to get into. As you get used to your boat and become experienced in handling her, you're probably going to want to move up to something larger. We all get caught in this trap sooner or later, but the important thing to remember is, that it's all about having "Fun" and not owning a boat which becomes a status cymbal that needs to be at a slip, and can only be sailed out on the bay which can only be reached by motoring two miles up a channel. My ideal boat is, and always was a boat that I can trailer and rig by myself; a boat with shallow draft and low free board that I can handle easy and single hand, with comfortable accommodations. A boat that I can sail to my mooring, or sail to the dock and step off it with my bow and stern lines in my hand, without breaking my neck on the dock. It's a good idea to take some sailing lessons, but it's also just as important to take a safe boating course such as the ones that are available through the U.S. Power Squadron and the U.S. Coastguard, that are usually run in the spring. Smooth Sailing! Joe
Jon, My boat is only about 22 feet long, and it's not too small or too big. I have a blast just hanging out on it in my favorite gunk holes when I'm not sailing her. She's very shoal draft and allows me to sail up the river channel at low tides, and anchor in coves that other boats might not be able to get into. As you get used to your boat and become experienced in handling her, you're probably going to want to move up to something larger. We all get caught in this trap sooner or later, but the important thing to remember is, that it's all about having "Fun" and not owning a boat which becomes a status cymbal that needs to be at a slip, and can only be sailed out on the bay which can only be reached by motoring two miles up a channel. My ideal boat is, and always was a boat that I can trailer and rig by myself; a boat with shallow draft and low free board that I can handle easy and single hand, with comfortable accommodations. A boat that I can sail to my mooring, or sail to the dock and step off it with my bow and stern lines in my hand, without breaking my neck on the dock. It's a good idea to take some sailing lessons, but it's also just as important to take a safe boating course such as the ones that are available through the U.S. Power Squadron and the U.S. Coastguard, that are usually run in the spring. Smooth Sailing! Joe
- Status