I've read groundhogs comment: ...Right now, I'm fighting with the low boom that is screwing up my dodger and bimini plans... and would throw into the pot for consideration:
I was looking at a Greek Flagged but German owned Vega a year or so ago, on which the standard Proctor boom had been raised:
The boom, gooseneck and roller reefing handle/spindle had been removed, a two-piece aluminium 'collar' about 9" high was rivetted to the mast and painted to match, this went over the original holes, then new holes were drilled through both collar and mast approx 3" higher, whereafter the fittings and boom were re-installed.
I didn't do the job so can't confirm their validity, but comments from the owner were:
"the boom's is now 7 centimetres higher, so the sprayhood from my old boat fits and the boom misses my head when I'm helming"
"a really easy job, I did the whole thing in one afternoon"
"you don't need to lower the mast if you are careful of the electric/VHF wires when re-drilling"
"you don't need to change the mainsail, as when hoisted the head of the sail is still 4 centimetres below the mast sheave"
I've not been up the mast since I saw this yacht, as I'd be interested in double-checking his claim that there's 4 1/2" of clearance between the sail head and the sheaves - there looks like there could be; if so I'm tempted to give it a go.
Bob
Spring Fever 1776.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I was looking at a Greek Flagged but German owned Vega a year or so ago, on which the standard Proctor boom had been raised:
The boom, gooseneck and roller reefing handle/spindle had been removed, a two-piece aluminium 'collar' about 9" high was rivetted to the mast and painted to match, this went over the original holes, then new holes were drilled through both collar and mast approx 3" higher, whereafter the fittings and boom were re-installed.
I didn't do the job so can't confirm their validity, but comments from the owner were:
"the boom's is now 7 centimetres higher, so the sprayhood from my old boat fits and the boom misses my head when I'm helming"
"a really easy job, I did the whole thing in one afternoon"
"you don't need to lower the mast if you are careful of the electric/VHF wires when re-drilling"
"you don't need to change the mainsail, as when hoisted the head of the sail is still 4 centimetres below the mast sheave"
I've not been up the mast since I saw this yacht, as I'd be interested in double-checking his claim that there's 4 1/2" of clearance between the sail head and the sheaves - there looks like there could be; if so I'm tempted to give it a go.
Bob
Spring Fever 1776.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]