I've been doing this to save time rigging the boat but lately I'm finding that it makes handling the boom a pain so I'm wondering what others do. If you remove your main, can you share your technique?
Do you stow your boom with the mainsail attached?
- Thread starter PropellerHead
- Start date
I stow my boom with the main and sail cover on. I leave the topping lift attached to the aft end of the boom, but disconnect everything else. When I disconnect the forward end of the boom from the mast, I can just walk that end of the boom back to the cockpit, and then down into the cabin below. Then finally, I disconnect the topping lift. I don't have to carry the full weight of the boom and sail that way. Not that it's heavy on my boat.
Exactly the same method here. Except I have no topping lift, just a pigtail on the backstay.
I'm sorry Dave, that went right by me. Are you referring to the dancing lizard?
For me, the Mariner is a pretty small boat. I break it all down to store. If I'm at a mooring or even on a dock, I'd leave it all together. It's not that much work and keeping my sail in a sail bag is nice. I don't have a sail cover yet, but when I get one, I might start leaving it on the boom.
-Will (Dragonfly)
For me, the Mariner is a pretty small boat. I break it all down to store. If I'm at a mooring or even on a dock, I'd leave it all together. It's not that much work and keeping my sail in a sail bag is nice. I don't have a sail cover yet, but when I get one, I might start leaving it on the boom.
-Will (Dragonfly)
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I do it the same as Rick M- Leave sail and cover on, disconnect from mast and stow. Havnt had a problem with it. The biggest problem I have in breaking down my 23.5 is getting the mast pin out and getting the bimini stowed in the cabin. The bimini is just big and awkward. The mast pin, Ive gotten to where I bring a large pair of grips and a hammer and punch as a last resort. It doesnt seem to be a pain going in. But getting it out, I just cant seem to line it up to where its not stressed somehow.
Ditto Rick M. The main has not been off the boom since I got it. Also put the genoa on the for stay in the boat in a big U. Just make sure all is locked up so the critters stay out. I bet a sail would make good winter bedding for a mouse.
@PropellerHead ,
Good morning! I don't remove the mains'l on my Cat 25, but when I raced Sonars during the summer of 2016 and 2017, we were required to remove the main from the rig and fold it accordingly in order to keep them in racing condition. I have a friend who owns a Flying Scott, and he does stow the main with the boom and keeps it in a bag when the boat is taken down after sailing. He flakes the main as he lowers it (accordion folding) and keeps it neatly in place using sail ties. The boom is pretty light, and easily detaches, so he just slides the whole thing out of the mast and stows it in a large sail bag inside the cockpit.
Good morning! I don't remove the mains'l on my Cat 25, but when I raced Sonars during the summer of 2016 and 2017, we were required to remove the main from the rig and fold it accordingly in order to keep them in racing condition. I have a friend who owns a Flying Scott, and he does stow the main with the boom and keeps it in a bag when the boat is taken down after sailing. He flakes the main as he lowers it (accordion folding) and keeps it neatly in place using sail ties. The boom is pretty light, and easily detaches, so he just slides the whole thing out of the mast and stows it in a large sail bag inside the cockpit.
I don't have a sail cover so maybe that's the difference. Lately I find that , when pulling the mast out, bits of the sail always spill out and snag on things. Feels like trying to push a rope. I like the topping lift idea but I don't think mine would reach into the cabin. So.. add a sail cover to keep things tidy and a longer topping lift. Then again, my sail is loose footed and it seemed to me that it should be easy to remove so maybe I'll at least give it a try before giving up the idea.
We are dealing with boats trailer often. @CrispyCringle
If your better half or anyone else is with you, have that person facing you with one hand on port spreader and other hand on starboard. . Then have that person do the wiggle wiggle as I call it. By bwiggling a little up and down makes removing that pin a lot easier. Also make sure mast is centered to when resting in mast aft carrier which can be done as you do the wiggle wiggle.
Please no hoola hoola wiggle in a grass skirt
If your better half or anyone else is with you, have that person facing you with one hand on port spreader and other hand on starboard. . Then have that person do the wiggle wiggle as I call it. By bwiggling a little up and down makes removing that pin a lot easier. Also make sure mast is centered to when resting in mast aft carrier which can be done as you do the wiggle wiggle.
Please no hoola hoola wiggle in a grass skirt
PropellerHead
My topping left isn't long enough for it to go very far into the cabin, but long enough such that the mast end reaches down and onto the floor. just getting the forward end of the boom from the gooseneck to the cabin floor while attached to the topping lift is a big help for me.
My topping left isn't long enough for it to go very far into the cabin, but long enough such that the mast end reaches down and onto the floor. just getting the forward end of the boom from the gooseneck to the cabin floor while attached to the topping lift is a big help for me.
I'm not comfortable storing a mainsail wrapped around the boom unless it's a pain to slide the foot out.... I've never done that... just me I guess... but I actually purchased a new mylar main for one of my previous boats and couldn't bring myself to leave it on the boom because I wanted to save a few minutes. I just simply don't want anything touching the sail when it's in the bag... and I always remove and stow my sails properly... in the long run it will save you money and keep your yacht looking good. If it's hard to get out because the bolt rope is swollen and won't slide..... that's what the track lube stuff is for.
I assume you mean at end of season. I remove my main from the boom and stow it in a sail bag at home. It is quite easy to remove, and pulling the boom off the gooseneck and stowing it in the cabin is easy as it is light. I leave the main sheet tackle attached to the boom, removing it from the traveler, and all lines (topping lift, outhaul, reefing) stay in the boom.
This works for me to. If you're alone, I've found that you can "manipulate" the forestay (assuming jib on furler) to the left and right of the mast to find a sweet spot. A bit more of a hassle but can work none-the-less.
Actually keep the fuller straight with mast with a bungee, not to the side as it causes binding at the mast step.
Yes. But if it is binding, you can use the weight of your furler to relieve the pressure causing the binding at the pin. Again, assuming you're by yourself.
