I have a question about how the boom is 'supposed' to sit on the mast. There is the track the runs down the mast and the boom has the gooseneck (i believe?) that slides on it. The boom on my mast however appears to be only supported by the back-up screw at the very base of the mast slide. It looks like I need a stopper to slide down the track to support the boom. Any suggestions would awesome. Thank you.
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I get the impression
that Gerard is not talking about how to tension the boom after the sail has been raised, but how to keep the boom from sliding down the mast after he has lowered the sail. Do I have that right? If so, West Marine and every other chandlery sell stoppers that will fill the bill. You need to know the width of the mast slot, and you are good to go. The part is called a "sail slide stopper" or some variation, and they are primarily used to stop sail slides from falling too low on the mast when the sail is lowered. If the slides are allowed to fall too low on the mast, they will come to the part of the mast where the slot widens enough to insert them (and the boom gooseneck), and they will all fall out. However, on smaller boats like yours and mine, the stoppers are robust enough to rest the boom on when the sail is down. A little trial and error, and you will find the perfect spot to locate the slide so that the boom is at the proper height when the sail is furled, and so it doesn't interfere with your cunningham or whatever arrangement you use to tension the boom down.
that Gerard is not talking about how to tension the boom after the sail has been raised, but how to keep the boom from sliding down the mast after he has lowered the sail. Do I have that right? If so, West Marine and every other chandlery sell stoppers that will fill the bill. You need to know the width of the mast slot, and you are good to go. The part is called a "sail slide stopper" or some variation, and they are primarily used to stop sail slides from falling too low on the mast when the sail is lowered. If the slides are allowed to fall too low on the mast, they will come to the part of the mast where the slot widens enough to insert them (and the boom gooseneck), and they will all fall out. However, on smaller boats like yours and mine, the stoppers are robust enough to rest the boom on when the sail is down. A little trial and error, and you will find the perfect spot to locate the slide so that the boom is at the proper height when the sail is furled, and so it doesn't interfere with your cunningham or whatever arrangement you use to tension the boom down.
Mike, He has mentioned the back up screw
which keeps the boom from falling out of the track at the bottom. That track has a reason and it is to give an option to change luff tension. However, if you do not have the downhaul in place, the boom can lift off the track. Hence, you need to put a similar screw in the hole at the top of the track to keep the boom from sliding up and off. I release my down haul when I raise my main. I raise it until the boom slides to the top of the track and hits the stove bolt head and then tension the downhaul as needed. r.w.landau
which keeps the boom from falling out of the track at the bottom. That track has a reason and it is to give an option to change luff tension. However, if you do not have the downhaul in place, the boom can lift off the track. Hence, you need to put a similar screw in the hole at the top of the track to keep the boom from sliding up and off. I release my down haul when I raise my main. I raise it until the boom slides to the top of the track and hits the stove bolt head and then tension the downhaul as needed. r.w.landau
Here's how we do it
Our 25 Oday is an 1981.Once the mast is up ,I remove the stove bolt.I then insert the gooseneck and reinstall the bolt.Your cunningham ,down haul and mainsail halyard will keep the proper tension .This is the way our boat came to us two years ago and it works very well.
Our 25 Oday is an 1981.Once the mast is up ,I remove the stove bolt.I then insert the gooseneck and reinstall the bolt.Your cunningham ,down haul and mainsail halyard will keep the proper tension .This is the way our boat came to us two years ago and it works very well.
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