Boom Height 30' MKIII

[Windborne]

I am considering raising the boom/gooseneck on my 30-III 4 to 5 inches to accommodate a new dodger I am having made and because I am 6 feet tall and (dodger or not) the boom currently is only 66 inches off the cockpit floor.

The original owner's manual shows the gooseneck at 28-1/2 inches above the deck. Mine is positioned at exactly that height. The original manual also shows that the mainsail headboard should not extend higher than 1 foot from the masthead. My headboard extends to 17-1/2 inches from the masthead.

So it appears I can raise the boom 4 to 5 inches without having to alter the sail or affect my rigging/sail-set. I am wondering if anyone has done the same. Any thoughts on raising the boom would be appreciated before I have the loft start bending and cutting bows for the dodger.

 

[Cayennita]

I helped another boat owner top do the same thing. There were no problems with doing it. The main is short and should still clear the back stay when going about. We detached the main from the boom while at a mooring and raised it to where it would sit once the boom was raised. It gave us a clear picture of the new arrangement. We threw the main back and forth and cleared the back stay easily.

 

[Windborne]

Thank you for the reply Cayennita. I haven't actually raised the sail as you suggest but it doesn't appear that clearing the topping lift or the back stay will be a problem.