boom lift

[Ken Cobb]

It always irritates me to have the boom drop into the cockpit whenever we drop sails. Has anyone figured out a workable boom lift for a DS that keeps this from happening?

 

[Bill Miller]

Boom Lift for ODay 25

I have added a short line that extends my boom lift (about 1 foot) which ALWAYS stays attached to the boom but allows for the main to set properly when the boom lift is disconnected from the end of the boom once the main is raised. If I forget to re-hook the boom lift before I drop the main, it will only drop 1 additional foot, to the length of the extension line.

 

[Les]

If you don't have a boom lift, Add One

I added a boom lift to my Mariner by adding a block to the top of the mast. I attached the block were the rear stay was pin to the mast. I then add a extra cleat at the bottom of the mast beside the one for the jib. I ran a line from the end of the boom through the block to the cleat. I loosen and tighten the boom lift as needed for light air and taking the sails down. I put a quick release hook on the boom end of the line so I could move the line from the end of the boom to mast when I take the mast down. Now the boom does not fall on the deck and I don't have to remember to tie up the boom before I drop the sails.Good luck Les

 

[Justin - O'day Owners' Web]

I did the same as Bill on my daysailer

. . . just make sure the line is slack enough not to hit the sail when raised.Justin - O'day Owners' Web

 

[Pat Corbett]

Boom Crutch

For boats without a back stay, of course, there's always the "boom crutch". I've seen them shaped as an "X", with the boom in the crease, the legs in the cockpit, and the crutch affixed to the rear coaming of the cockpit. I have used a single crutch, which slides through a "U" bolt screwed to the rear coaming. It has an oar-like look, with a cut out in the tip of the "oar" for the boom to sit into, and is placed before dropping the main, and supports the boom while on the mooring all summer. I stained and varnished it, and decorated it with some line wrapped around it. It might be easier than installing a boom lift. Of course, you can hook something up to the backstay, if you have one.