Boom rigging questions... Big questions w photos

isaksp00 · Jul 5, 2013

I don't know the 26, but it is probably similar to my 23. Hopefully other folks who own a 26 will pipe in.

The three lines on mine are for the topping lift, the main outhaul and the reefing line. I would guess the longest line is probably for reefing, and it would go up the front of the boom (through one of the jam cleats), along the inside of the boom and out the rear, up to the reef cringle in the main, through it and down the other side, and then tied off to the boom - on mine, there's a padeye on the bottom of the boom it ties to. To reef, you pull the main down (loosen the halyard of course) and hook the forward reefing cringle on the hook on the front of your boom (at least, my 23 has a hook, sort of a w shaped thing, that would allow you to hook the tack on either side). It looks like you have one of those, in the photo with the curved yachtsman-anchor-like fitting - the line appears to be looped around it at the bottom of the photo. Haul up the halyard tight then use the the line that pulls the leech down to tighten it against the boom. I assume you have ties in the main to tidy the loose edge down to the boom.

The outhaul is similar at the front, but simply loops around the sheave at the rear of the boom, then forward and ties to the cringle at the main's clew (the rear corner at the bottom). You pull in that line to haul the main outward to the boom's rear.

The third would be for the topping lift. What is your topping lift line - wire, rope? It should be attached to a pin or other thing at the rear end of the mast crane. You could simply tie the end of that line, after it goes up through the sheave, to the end of the topping lift line. Then you use the line's end at the front of the boom to adjust. I rigged a small swivel block at the bottom of my wire topping lift, after shortening it so it ends about 3 feet above the boom's end. The topping lift adjusting line goes up through that block and then down to the boom, tied off to the fitting at the very rear. Just makes it a little easier to adjust.

I have no idea what that thing that looks like a yachtsman's anchor is - I don't have one. The key like thing may be intended to fit in a slot or keyway at the bottom of your mast track, above the slot where you slide in the bolt rope or slugs - if there is one, it would be used to keep the sail from sliding back out of the track as you lower it.

Merlin Clark · Jul 5, 2013

Bruce,
Do a search for Dave Condon, the guru of Hunters. In at least a couple of replies he's left his phone number for people who needed his help.
Take a look in the mast slot of a hole the key thing might fit into, in another thread (IIRC) it was identified as a part to hold the mast up when not in use.
Good luck, hope you get it sorted out and underway soon.

RODSHOP4 · Jul 5, 2013

Hay Bruce, just a "note" to say Great talking to you, surly hope things work out .Hope you enjoy my photos. Leon in U.P. MI aka " Time Out"

Hugh Straub · Jul 5, 2013

I agree with Isaks on his points. I am confident that the line shackled to the fairlead on the cam cleat (photo 3) does not belong there. I need to see the other end of the line to have an idea where it should be.

I do not know but I will guess the anchor shaped fitting has some application to reefing the tack of the main sail, though I confess I've never seen anything quite like it. Is there a prize if I've guessed right?

Any way, you've bought a very nice boat and do not get discouraged, because there are lots of great folks on this forum who know a lot and are pleased to share what they know. Once you are comfortable with the rigging and the systems, you'll be very happy with your purchase.

Kind regards

Hugh

isaksp00 · Jul 6, 2013

The line shackled to the cam cleat or fairlead (whatever that fitting is, hard to see it clearly) in photo 3 looks like it may be the main halyard, shackled to the fitting to hold it while not in use. Photo 4 is hard to see - what does the line that loops under the arm of the rams head fitting (as I learned that w shaped hook is called, from the on-line H26 manual on this site) connect to at the top? And, is that line tied to the anchor shaped fitting?

John23883 · Jul 7, 2013

Your picture number two is the pin that goes in the slot in the mast above the hole where your mainsail slugs are loaded in to the mast. Once all the slugs are in the mast and the mainsail is raised, that pin is put in with the leg horizontal and then allowed to drop vertical and will keep the slugs from falling out when you lower the main. It holds all the slugs in the mast when the main is laid on the mast and covered. Without it the slugs will all fall out.

cephius (Dave) · Jul 8, 2013

Hi abk,
Here is a graphic of what isaksp00 explained.

The topping lift is a combination of a fixed length wire attached to the top of the mast, and the adjustment line running through the boom.

isaksp00 · Jul 8, 2013

Nice diagram, Dave.

Dan Hill · Aug 14, 2013

The fitting that is shaped like an anchor is used to hold your lazy jack lines out of the way when you have your sail cover on. It should be located at the rear of your boom.

Crazy Dave Condon · Aug 15, 2013

ABK;

The 26 topping lift was like a few other boats with a continuous topping lift line that ran thru the boom which created issues for me with a trailerable sailboat. I use to tape, cut and burn the end of the line and put a loop in it using a boline. I would add a small boat two sheave block with V Jam and attach to the end of that line. Then I would take the outhaul and thread it thru in such a way that the line would exit thru the V jam and this is one Item my customers liked a lot as you could lower and raise the boom quickly plus take the topping lift out quickly.

As for Lazy Jacks on either the 26 or 260, I found they were annoying and served no usefulness on this size boat although others will disagree and I found them to hinder when folding or Flacking the mainsail onto the boom. Also, I felt that stack pack style boom covers took much longer than the traditional cover as most customers when taught how to flake quickly properly generally agreed. I know some will disagree with me but I guess I was one of the few who taught systems and sailing no matter how long it took on all boats whether it was small or say a 45 footer on my nickel vs. like other dealerships a few hours and so forth.

On some others, there was a line or stainless steel covered cable with a turning block at the end. Usually a line exiting the end of the boom or on the side of the boom would run up thru that block and down tied off to cleat at the end of the boom . Sometimes it ran thru a side boom turning block to the cleat.

Boom rigging questions... Big questions w photos

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