Main Sail

[Debbie]

I recently purchased a 1985 Catalina 22. The boom is located several inchases from the main sail feeder gate on the mast. As a result, I have to hand feed the sail. Typically, how far should the boom be from the feeder? (I am not sure if "feeder gate" is the proper term).Thank you

 

[mg]

where i put it

im confused , do you not have sail slugs on the main? but either way the boom can ride up and down the sail slot below the gate with no problem .i have a stopper knot in the down haul which allows the boom to slide up to the gate but not out. i raise the main pulling the boom up to the slot (which puts the main all the way up at the top and adjust the downhaul for shape(as i have no cabin top winches). i usually just grab the boom and hang on it a bit to pull the luff tighter. i adjust the cunningham for more shape as needed . if you have slugs and dont have track stops, go buy a couple and life will get better. good luck.

 

[Ed P.]

Here's What I Do

Hi Debbie, Don't know for sure if there is a "correct" position, but here's what I do. When raising the main, make sure your main sheet, boom vang and downhaul are all loose. Then raise the main until the gooseneck on the boom is about 1" from the slot (gate) on the mast. Then once the sail is raised, tension up on the downhaul (a short line attached to the bottom of the gooseneck) and just enough tension on the boom vang to keep the boom from rising.In this configuration, if your downhaul line should fail, the vang will keep the gooseneck from falling out of the mast track.Hope this helps.Fair Winds,Ed P.

 

[Bob Finley]

Boom location

As I read your question, you are having trouble threading the main up into the slot because of the boom being so close to the bottom of the feed in slot.On my mast there is a set screw located about 9 or so inches below the bottom of the feed in slot. The boom gooseneck rests on that set screw to keep it from dropping any lower down the slot in the mast. Mine seems rather close for feeding, but it does work. If your boom is getting in the way of feeding the sail, try loosening the screw and slide it down the slot to allow the boom to rest at a lower position. This won't have any detrimental affect because when you raise the main sail it will raise the boom gooseneck with it and after the main halyard is secured, you have to go back and down haul (cunningham) the boom gooseneck to tighten the sail anyway. The position of the lower boom stop set screw on mine holds the boom more or less horizontal when I attach the pigtail off the rear stay.

 

[CHARLIE]

Track stop?

Debbie, My set up has a stopper? I don't know if this is the right term, that fits into the mast track after the main slugs have been feed in. It goes above the mast gate and is secured by a large nylon nut. What it does is when you let the main down, it keeps the slugs in the track so the main won't fall out of the track. You secure the main to the boom and put on the sail cover. Unless you want to remove the main entirely every time you use the boat, this works great.