Need help attaching outhaul block inside my boom

[Taylor]

I'm not sure what to title this question, but here's the problem. I'd like to put a multi-part tackle inside my boom for the outhaul. To do that I need to dead-end a line (possibly two lines) inside the forward end of my boom. The problem is that my boom is welded closed at the forward end, and only open at the aft end. The easiest way would be to drill a hole in the side of the boom and use a fish tape to pull a line forward and out the hole and tie a knot. But I think the sharp edges would chafe through. Another idea would be to fish the bolt end of a pad eye through, and put a nut and washer on the outside, but I'm worried about the lateral strain on the pad eye. I suppose I could put the hole in the forward end of the boom, but the plate looks pretty thick, and its not at right angles to the boom so there is some lateral strain anyway. It might also interfere with the cams and exit blocks welded to the underside of the boom up forward. Anyone else looked at this, or can tell me how their boat is set up? What sort of fitting and attachment is used. BTW - this is a fairly large boom, maybe 6 x 9" so it is somewhat roomy inside.

 

[Joseph Shirley]

You say you want to mount a tackle in the boom. That will take two blocks in the

one inside out turning block, an exit fair-lead, and a cleat of whichever type you like. The aft block in the tackle must be free to move, so a line from that block through the inside out sheave, (or block) mounted near the end of the boom, can be attached to the out-haul. The block further in will have to be mounted to the inside of the boom, Preferably with Pop Rivets (I recommend SS pop Rivets). This will be a relatively short tackle because the fixed tackle block shouldn't be any farther in than you can reach with your arm. The control line for the tackle should lead forward and go out the side of the boom as you envisioned, except the hole should be big enough for an inside out stainless fair-lead plate like you see on masts with internal halyards. Forward of that plate you should have a cleat to secure it with or add some more hardware and lead the out-haul control back to the cockpit. Unless you are doing some serious racing I don't think you have to control the out-haul from the cockpit.Have funJoe S

 

[sand sailor]

you need to find the end fittings

that will fit your boom or just replace the whole thing

 

[Dan H]

In my opinion

"The easiest way would be to drill a hole in the side of the boom and use a fish tape to pull a line forward and out the hole and tie a knot. But I think the sharp edges would chafe through."I would drill the boom as you sugested and tie a knot.Yes it is a lateral load. Clean the hole with a file and get all the burs off of it.With tension off, it would be real easy to pull the knot end out 2" and inspect the knot end. If it is wearing, cut off 2" and tie a new knot. Whip the line right at the knot and that would add a few years to the knot?Just my opinion.

 

[Alan]

I upgraded the outhaul

...on my boat many years ago. It is a 6:1 cascading internal arrangement.If you take Bill Roosa's diagram and add a 3 part tackle onto his 2:1 you wind up with a very powerful 6:1 .If you would like a diagram I can make one.I did this from the outboard end of my boom by arranging the whole thing externally then fishing the one end through the boom.

 

[sand sailor]

mine came with 2 double blocks

one fixed to the mast end and an out haul sheeve in the end and the other attached to a cable and a sheeve at the free end which also has a becket on it to terminate the line.also have two extra sheeves on either side of the boom but not sure what they're for they have clutches on the mast end also .really cool stuff probably for securing the boom forward???

 

[Don Guillette]

Outhaul Drawing

RayT & Steve: Max still has that same boat. He was something else to race with. I have never sailed with a guy with more race course savy - he always knew where he was especially on the starting line. Many times I would think to myself (fortunately, I kept my mouth shut) we are never going to make it and will be late getting over but he always made it and generally in the first spot. Greatest race was the C30 national event in Santa Cruz. We raced 3 days in 40 to 45 knot winds!! Last race, which would determine 1st, was neck and neck all the way with no reef. We were edged out by a hair. You can reach max through the C30 National web site.Steve, I don't have a diagram but if you email me (yankee3223@juno.com) I'll refer you to a picture. The setup is very straight forward. One small Harken triple block is attached to the clew with a shackle and the other block is attached to the topping lift tang at the end of the boom. I spent more time trying to figure out how to attach the system than it took to hook it up!! if you don't have a tang at the end of the boom you have to be creative. After you get the blocks attached you merely add a turning block near the end of the boom so the line can run forward to near the original opening where the line comes out of the boom. At that point I just added a cleat or you could install a jamb cleat instead. I can't tell you how many Catalina's I've been on where the outhaul is jambed. The outhaul is a very important sail trim control. You can't adjust draft depth (belly) without it. A jambed outhaul is like a broken clock which is right twice a day. The position the outhaul is stuck in is RIGHT for only one set of wind and point of sail and WRONG for all others. I've been on race boats with the outhaul stuck. I wonder why the skipper wasted his money on the race fee!!