People, I'm a novice sailer, and new Hunter owner. I'm not familiar with the 'boom lift' used on the 1991 Vision 32. This lift seems to be spring loaded, and can be compressed by using the corresponding rope. My question is: Should this 'boom lift' be able to actually lift the boom? It seems to me the spring is unable to lift the boom past a position that is approximately horizontal (although I can lift it by hand to a point much higher). There doesn't seem to be any provision for a rope to lift the boom from the mast. The reason I ask this: It is difficult to raise/lower the main sail, and I suspect it is because the end of the boom is too low. Am I doing something wrong? Thanks for any help that may follow!
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Couple of Comments, Dave...
.. the rigid boom vang does also hold the boom up. It also, when tensioned, pulls down and helps keep the sail shape optimized as the wind builds and the traveller is let out all the way and mainsheet eased. As to the difficulty in raising the main, first be sure you have the later-style sail slides. Black plastic about an inch and a half long. Second, be sure all the sail slides are attached with webbing loosely enough as to permit them to twist (articulate) especially the ones with the battens. Those may take your friendly sail loft to do. However, I got the slides from Hunter and did the webbing myself. The sail loft will want to sell you a bat-car type system. IMHO, suggest you wait until you are in the market for a new sail and do it then. Finally, get a sail track (Fastrac) lube kit, clean the track and lube it. When you raise the sail, be sure that the reef lines are free and and that the boat is directly into the wind. Couple of other thoughts. Be sure all the turning block sheaves are in good shape, replace if not. And, also the masthead sheave should be checked sometime. (Some owners of other models Hunters have reported they found them to be in bad shape, but I have not seen that comment from a Vision owner.) Good luck sailing your Vision. I had one for nine years. Definitely a great boat. Hope you enjoy yours as much as we did ours. Rick D.
.. the rigid boom vang does also hold the boom up. It also, when tensioned, pulls down and helps keep the sail shape optimized as the wind builds and the traveller is let out all the way and mainsheet eased. As to the difficulty in raising the main, first be sure you have the later-style sail slides. Black plastic about an inch and a half long. Second, be sure all the sail slides are attached with webbing loosely enough as to permit them to twist (articulate) especially the ones with the battens. Those may take your friendly sail loft to do. However, I got the slides from Hunter and did the webbing myself. The sail loft will want to sell you a bat-car type system. IMHO, suggest you wait until you are in the market for a new sail and do it then. Finally, get a sail track (Fastrac) lube kit, clean the track and lube it. When you raise the sail, be sure that the reef lines are free and and that the boat is directly into the wind. Couple of other thoughts. Be sure all the turning block sheaves are in good shape, replace if not. And, also the masthead sheave should be checked sometime. (Some owners of other models Hunters have reported they found them to be in bad shape, but I have not seen that comment from a Vision owner.) Good luck sailing your Vision. I had one for nine years. Definitely a great boat. Hope you enjoy yours as much as we did ours. Rick D.
Boom wang difficulties
When I raise the main, I loosen the wang and the boom, much easier to raise the mainsail that way. Also when I have someone else on board I go to the mast and raise the mainsail manually. I can raise it in a few seconds instead of winching. It takes only a few turns on the inch to finish it off. Make sure you have someone pull on the hailyard in the cockpit to make sure it does not come back down. An of course make sure that the main does not catch on the lazy jacks. Love that boat and I have a long list of potential buyers if I ever decide to part with it. Not a chance, sincerely, J.B. Hrab
When I raise the main, I loosen the wang and the boom, much easier to raise the mainsail that way. Also when I have someone else on board I go to the mast and raise the mainsail manually. I can raise it in a few seconds instead of winching. It takes only a few turns on the inch to finish it off. Make sure you have someone pull on the hailyard in the cockpit to make sure it does not come back down. An of course make sure that the main does not catch on the lazy jacks. Love that boat and I have a long list of potential buyers if I ever decide to part with it. Not a chance, sincerely, J.B. Hrab
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