I recently purchased a used Hunter 23. I put the boat in the water and stepped the mast. However, I didn't put up the boom line (the rope at the rear of the boom) to the top of the mast. Do I need to take the mast down again? Is there something I can do? How critical is the boom line to the functionality of the boat? -Mark
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Tom Wootton
Topping lift
The line you're referring to is the topping lift. It keeps the clew (aft) end of the boom from falling on deck when the sail is lowered. It should be slack when the sail is up, and is often in the way while sailing. You could eliminate the topping lift altogether if you installed a rigid vang or a boomkicker. Garhauer makes a good rigid vang for a couple hundred bucks. Not sure what a boomkicker costs.
The line you're referring to is the topping lift. It keeps the clew (aft) end of the boom from falling on deck when the sail is lowered. It should be slack when the sail is up, and is often in the way while sailing. You could eliminate the topping lift altogether if you installed a rigid vang or a boomkicker. Garhauer makes a good rigid vang for a couple hundred bucks. Not sure what a boomkicker costs.
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Clayton
Just Watch Your Head
Mark, I have been on several boats where the someone handled the boom (as not to drop it into the cockpit or on someone's head) when the main was being lowered. Once the boom was down, the main halyard was disconnected from the headboard on the main and connected to a loop tied into the end of the boom. Then, all you have to do is pull on the main halyard, lifting the boom. Pretty simple... The topping lift, when attached, can also be used to shape the main in really light air. Basically it takes the weight of the boom off the sail and allows the main to twist by loosening the leech when the wind is really light. There is an entire science to twist and trim, others will have to help you out there. Regards, Clayton
Mark, I have been on several boats where the someone handled the boom (as not to drop it into the cockpit or on someone's head) when the main was being lowered. Once the boom was down, the main halyard was disconnected from the headboard on the main and connected to a loop tied into the end of the boom. Then, all you have to do is pull on the main halyard, lifting the boom. Pretty simple... The topping lift, when attached, can also be used to shape the main in really light air. Basically it takes the weight of the boom off the sail and allows the main to twist by loosening the leech when the wind is really light. There is an entire science to twist and trim, others will have to help you out there. Regards, Clayton
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mike
another thing
I have a Boomkicker and love it. It was about $200. But I know another guy that did exactly what you did and he simply ran a line from the end of the boom to his backstay where it splits when the main is down. Of course it would need to be disconnected when sailing.
I have a Boomkicker and love it. It was about $200. But I know another guy that did exactly what you did and he simply ran a line from the end of the boom to his backstay where it splits when the main is down. Of course it would need to be disconnected when sailing.
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Brian
I would use it
Mark, I use it mostly when moored/anchored to keep the boom clear out of the cockpit. I know its a pain to unstep/restep the mast but it is worth reconsidering. If you do take it down be sure to run you topping lift line through the clutch and boom first and then tie the bowline to the top of mast. If you forget to feed the line through first you will have a hard time snaking it through the opposite end (I learned the hard way)...good luck Brian kickin back h23
Mark, I use it mostly when moored/anchored to keep the boom clear out of the cockpit. I know its a pain to unstep/restep the mast but it is worth reconsidering. If you do take it down be sure to run you topping lift line through the clutch and boom first and then tie the bowline to the top of mast. If you forget to feed the line through first you will have a hard time snaking it through the opposite end (I learned the hard way)...good luck Brian kickin back h23
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Tom Baldwin
Protect your boat
You need to use something to hold up the boom. I've seen school boats where the boom was not handled carefully, and there were numerous, large gelcoat chips around the cockpit from the end of the boom.
You need to use something to hold up the boom. I've seen school boats where the boom was not handled carefully, and there were numerous, large gelcoat chips around the cockpit from the end of the boom.
toppping lift
The rigid vangs are nice, but I forgot to attach mine( topping lift) a few years ago, I simply backed my boat into the slip lowered the mast and hooked it up and restepped the mast, I do know some docks arent set up in such a way to do this , but to me it is worth the effort, good luck Mike
The rigid vangs are nice, but I forgot to attach mine( topping lift) a few years ago, I simply backed my boat into the slip lowered the mast and hooked it up and restepped the mast, I do know some docks arent set up in such a way to do this , but to me it is worth the effort, good luck Mike
Make sure your upper sheave is good
I tried to hoist a friend up the mast on a bosuns chair to relace the windex and broke the sheave at the masthead (he wasn't that heavy either). The broken sheave made it ten times harder to raise and lower the mainsail and chafed the halyard so badly I had to drop the mast to replace it. Needless to say, I replaced the sheave at the same time. Peter H23 "Raven"
I tried to hoist a friend up the mast on a bosuns chair to relace the windex and broke the sheave at the masthead (he wasn't that heavy either). The broken sheave made it ten times harder to raise and lower the mainsail and chafed the halyard so badly I had to drop the mast to replace it. Needless to say, I replaced the sheave at the same time. Peter H23 "Raven"
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Johnny
I Jerry Rigged my SJ-24,,,
On my SanJaun24, (FK 4' Draft) , I had that line snap on me, so I just used the Main Halyard attatched to End of boom when Moored. When Sailing I used the Spinnaker Halyard as a BoomStay, but not very often, just in High Winds to reduce Stress on the Main Sail.
On my SanJaun24, (FK 4' Draft) , I had that line snap on me, so I just used the Main Halyard attatched to End of boom when Moored. When Sailing I used the Spinnaker Halyard as a BoomStay, but not very often, just in High Winds to reduce Stress on the Main Sail.
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crazy dave
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