Boom Clearance

[Brent Headberg]

I just recently installed a fixed canopy on my Hunter 335. It was very important that I had headroom under the canopy and to accomodate the 6ft clearance, I need to raise the boom at the gooseneck by about 6 inches. I checked the free space at the top of the mast and there is at least 12 inches when the main is cinched up tight with the halyard winch.Has anyone done this before? I will have to drill out the pop rivets that attach the gooseneck and re-attach.Any info would be much appreciated.Cap'n BrentS/V Elena Lua1990 Hunter 335

 

[Ed Schenck]

Not a fan. . .

of this modification. Too many holes in a stressed part of the mast and you are raising the Center of Effort, more heal in same wind.On the other hand many have done it and six inches is not that much. Maybe you could use the existing top holes for the new bottom holes.Be sure to correctly size/type the rivets.My solution on my H37C was to adjust the forward bow of the bimini to be lower than the back two bows. I have 6'6" at the helm but must duck a little when going under the front bow. I also added a spare halyard which I now use to adjust the topping lift. So I could raise that front bow, especially in port when I raise the boom.

 

[Brent Headberg]

Thanks for your response. I have given thought to the weakness that more holes will create...and I plan on using the upper holes when I slide the gooseneck up. I will fill the old holes with rivets instead of leaving them open.I'll let you know how things work out.Capn' BrentS/V Elena Lua

 

[Steve Dion]

Multi Level approach!

Capt. Brent:Have you thought about a multi-level approach. Have a bimini that has standing headroom clearance and then have a dodger or lower bimini under the boom/over the companionway. You can add a piece of material to connect the two if that becomes desireable. One option is to have a piece of sun screen to join them too. This allows the piece to stay in place while you are sailing but keep the sun away.This eliminates the need to mess with the design dynamics of the boat but give you the shelter that you desire.