Hello all! I'm just getting into sailing and I hope this isn't a stupid question. I recently bought a used Hunter 146. This little boat is great & I've been sailing every weekend since I bought it. I'm sure I've got it rigged right; however, the boom is supported by the sail. whenever I bring down the sail (furl?) the rear of the boom comes down as well. I thought this was normal; but, looking at some of the pictures on this site, I see a cable from the top of the mast supporting the rear of the boom when the sail is furled. I don't think this boat comes with a backstay. In other words, I was wondering if there was a way to support the rear of the boom when furling the sail. Although it's kinda funny when you hear a friend yelp when the boom comes down on his foot. Any info would be much appreciated. Thanks! Scott
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Welcome Scott,
No question is stupid, you're like the majority of us: you realize you've got learning to do. That's what this site is for. The line you refer to is called a topping lift. I don't believe you can use one due to the extent your sail comes back through the imaginary line between the end of your boom and the top of your mast. If it's a big deal to you, I think you'll have to look into a boom kicker which supports the boom from the base of the mast. You can find info on them here in the archived and at the Chandlery.
No question is stupid, you're like the majority of us: you realize you've got learning to do. That's what this site is for. The line you refer to is called a topping lift. I don't believe you can use one due to the extent your sail comes back through the imaginary line between the end of your boom and the top of your mast. If it's a big deal to you, I think you'll have to look into a boom kicker which supports the boom from the base of the mast. You can find info on them here in the archived and at the Chandlery.
topping lift
Scott - I am not sure if the 146 comes rigged with a topping lift, but it's big brother, the 170 does and it is great. I would imagine one of the other posters on this site could tell you what you need to do to add one to yours. A number of folks on this site do like boom kickers, but the topping lift seems to work fine for my purposes and I don't see a need to spend the $150 to buy the boom kicker yet. For those of you who are using a topping lift on your 170's and 146's, do you fully disonnect it once you raise the sail or just loosen enough to let the sail support the boom? I have been just loosening it, but recently have been thinking of just using a stopper knot to hold it up when the sail is not on and cleeting it to the mast when not in use. Any advantage to doing so?
Scott - I am not sure if the 146 comes rigged with a topping lift, but it's big brother, the 170 does and it is great. I would imagine one of the other posters on this site could tell you what you need to do to add one to yours. A number of folks on this site do like boom kickers, but the topping lift seems to work fine for my purposes and I don't see a need to spend the $150 to buy the boom kicker yet. For those of you who are using a topping lift on your 170's and 146's, do you fully disonnect it once you raise the sail or just loosen enough to let the sail support the boom? I have been just loosening it, but recently have been thinking of just using a stopper knot to hold it up when the sail is not on and cleeting it to the mast when not in use. Any advantage to doing so?
Loosen
I leave mine loosened when the main is up. I have one extra wrap around the cleat when the main is down. Once the main is up I let that wrap out. Seems to work for me, although a boom kicker can offer some advantages. I don't see why you couldn't add a topping lift with some hardware to the mast and boom. Tereza is probably a better person to chime in on this one since she's a H146 sailor. JerryA
I leave mine loosened when the main is up. I have one extra wrap around the cleat when the main is down. Once the main is up I let that wrap out. Seems to work for me, although a boom kicker can offer some advantages. I don't see why you couldn't add a topping lift with some hardware to the mast and boom. Tereza is probably a better person to chime in on this one since she's a H146 sailor. JerryA
Thanks!
Thanks for the information Dave, David, & Jerry! Now that I know what I'm looking for, I might go with a Boom Kicker. Looks like it's easy to use, install, & I read that it gives some performance advantage in low wind situations. That would help, since the wind is very unpredicatable around here. Yesterday, the wind was blowing good, so I sailed up the river a couple of miles, then - nothing. I think it's called "becalmed?". I got some good excercise with the paddle until a little wind picked back up. Amazing how these boats seem to move with very little wind. So, next purchase - electric trolling motor, then Boom Kicker. I noticed two models for the Hunter Boom Kicker that might work. A K0312 & K0400. Anyone know wich is the right one for the H146? Thanks!
Thanks for the information Dave, David, & Jerry! Now that I know what I'm looking for, I might go with a Boom Kicker. Looks like it's easy to use, install, & I read that it gives some performance advantage in low wind situations. That would help, since the wind is very unpredicatable around here. Yesterday, the wind was blowing good, so I sailed up the river a couple of miles, then - nothing. I think it's called "becalmed?". I got some good excercise with the paddle until a little wind picked back up. Amazing how these boats seem to move with very little wind. So, next purchase - electric trolling motor, then Boom Kicker. I noticed two models for the Hunter Boom Kicker that might work. A K0312 & K0400. Anyone know wich is the right one for the H146? Thanks!
Welcome Scott and your 146!!!
Hey Scott - so glad to see a fellow 146 owner on this forum - hooray!!! *5 Go with the Boomkicker!!! The 312 is all you need - I got mine for $75 plus shipping from this site - I think the sale is still on - or get it direct from the mfg for only about $8 more. Go to boomkicker.com. I just got one this season, and love it. Don't go throuhg the hassle of installing the necessary gear for a topping lift - no need to have something flopping around either. OR.... 0$ ... Just take the main halyard, after you've "lowered the boom", and connect it to the little ring at the end of the boom for the outhaul! Instant topping lift!!! (Just remember to cleat the other end of the main halyard as usual - don't want it swinging free. Oh - this is so much fun talking to another 146 owner. I love this boat! ;D I have several changes that I have made, and would love to chat with you about them if you want. None of them were expensive. My philosophy with this boat is "simplicity" (and cheapness!!). So my mods have been to make sailing and rigging simpler, and also for improved safety. Never to further complicate my saililng life! I've also posted in photos/projects forum how I foamed the mast to keep her from turtling when she goes over...originally the brainchild of Glenn. Best of luck!!! Just had such a great sail today, am gonna post about it, too!
Hey Scott - so glad to see a fellow 146 owner on this forum - hooray!!! *5 Go with the Boomkicker!!! The 312 is all you need - I got mine for $75 plus shipping from this site - I think the sale is still on - or get it direct from the mfg for only about $8 more. Go to boomkicker.com. I just got one this season, and love it. Don't go throuhg the hassle of installing the necessary gear for a topping lift - no need to have something flopping around either. OR.... 0$ ... Just take the main halyard, after you've "lowered the boom", and connect it to the little ring at the end of the boom for the outhaul! Instant topping lift!!! (Just remember to cleat the other end of the main halyard as usual - don't want it swinging free. Oh - this is so much fun talking to another 146 owner. I love this boat! ;D I have several changes that I have made, and would love to chat with you about them if you want. None of them were expensive. My philosophy with this boat is "simplicity" (and cheapness!!). So my mods have been to make sailing and rigging simpler, and also for improved safety. Never to further complicate my saililng life! I've also posted in photos/projects forum how I foamed the mast to keep her from turtling when she goes over...originally the brainchild of Glenn. Best of luck!!! Just had such a great sail today, am gonna post about it, too!
Hello Tereza!
Thanks for the info about the BoomKicker! Yes, I've been reading through the archives & I've read your post about Foaming the Mast. I've already got the materials. I think I'll be doing that soon. Since I'm new to sailing, I've come close to turning my 146 over a couple of times. Especially when sailing single handed. I'm sure it's just a matter of time until she goes all the way over (Turtle) if I don't add some bouyancy. Thanks for the description. I've been reading books; but, it's nice to have a place to get information from people who know what they're doing. Sailing isn't very big around here & I appreciate the advice. So, yes, I'd enjoy it if you shared some of your other 146 modifications.
Thanks for the info about the BoomKicker! Yes, I've been reading through the archives & I've read your post about Foaming the Mast. I've already got the materials. I think I'll be doing that soon. Since I'm new to sailing, I've come close to turning my 146 over a couple of times. Especially when sailing single handed. I'm sure it's just a matter of time until she goes all the way over (Turtle) if I don't add some bouyancy. Thanks for the description. I've been reading books; but, it's nice to have a place to get information from people who know what they're doing. Sailing isn't very big around here & I appreciate the advice. So, yes, I'd enjoy it if you shared some of your other 146 modifications.
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