A Number of H26 Question

[Jason Alexander]

Ok, I've been sailing a few times and some more questions have come up. But so far I'm loving my H261. I had one of the batten catch straps come un sewed from the main. What can I use to re attach this. It's the upper batten and I don't want to fly that batten for fear of using it until I get it fixed. 2. Topping Lift. I don't a bunch of reading in the archives and I think my topping life is as screwed up as anyones. Currently the previous onwer appears to have shortened the line and currently just ties it to the back of the boom. This doesn't seem like a good idea to me as that small piece of pot metal probably shouldn't be used to hold up the boom. Right now we just untie the topping lift and tie it to one side of the rams head. This seems to be less then idea. What are people doing to make the topping lift better.2a. I know most people are going to answer question two with the answer "rigid vang" But since I always trailer my boat my question is how easy it put on and take off the rigid vangs. From the archives Garhauer seems to be the most recomended solution. 3. Outhaul. The last time we sailed the outhaul came untied from the main and I pulled it out of the boom. what is the best way to get it back in. I'm going to try with a fish tape but is that the best idea.ThanksJason

 

[alan]

Easy questines.

1. You can sew the battens in. Drill a hole at the leach end of the batten and sew it in. This works best with the worn out velcro unless you replace it.2. I have not made the topping lift better but there are extra sheaves in the boom to run a longer line foward and lock it by the goose neck. Or, you could attach a block above the boom on the existing line with a new line fixed at one end to the boom, going through the new block and cleating off at the boom to have an adjustable lift.2a. Don't know, not an approved expense for me!3. Fish tape is what I used, seems to be the easiest. I'm sure it can be done in a more diffecult way if you want.Have fun! alan

 

[ruedi ross]

1,2,eh

i installed a boomkicker and love it. It takes about 30 seconds to install when you are raising the mast. You don't really need the topping lift with it but the lift is still nice when the main is dropped and you want a little more headroom. The "potmetal " at the end of the boom is cast aluminum. Plenty strong, your topping lift should attatch to a piece of 1/8" soft lay stainless wire rope that wraps around the center sheave and comes out as 8mm line on the bottom of the boom and cleats off about 16" back from the gooseneck. I drilled 1/8" holes in the end of my battens and sewed them in with a sewing awl.

 

[Rich Lewis]

I tried fishtape, but I couldn't get it thru

I worked the fishtape for about an hour before giving up.I ended up using about 10 of the smallest sinkers I could find attached to some fishing line. I held the boom near vertical and dropped it through (took 10 minutes). Then just wrapped it around the line and it came right through.

 

[bmwbob]

Fishing the outhaul through the boom

If you can remove the boom and stand it vertically, go to your friendly hardware store and buy a length of bead chain, similar to what's on the light switch on your ceiling fan.You can use this for a "fish cord", as it will follow gravity and find it's way around nearly any obstruction.Bob CowgillH216

 

[Ken Prichard]

Battens and Toppinf Lift

I have full battens and keeping them in their pockets drove me nuts.My sail loft replaced the ties with bolts.Problem solved.I can't adjust them anymore but unless you plan to challenge for the next Americas Cup who cares.I gotta give one more vote for a Boom Kicker-love mine.

 

[Ken Prichard]

Boom Kicker

Check their web site:www.boomkicker.com or call them @ 1 800 437 7654.They mount inside the triangle formed by the boom,mast and vang so on the mast it is mounted just above the vang connection.