Pig Tails or Not
Tim,A Pig Tail is attached to the back stay about a foot above where the boom would normally ride, with a short wire lead which attaches to the boom. It is a good system for securing the boom but has one major drawback, if in the excitement of getting ready to sail, you happen to forget to disconnect the pig tail, you're in for quiet a ride when you raise your mainsail and turn your boat with the wind on the beam.A better and safer method would be to put in a topping lift. This is a line attached to the top/aft side of the mast that runs down to the aft end of the boom. It can remain connected while sailing. One modification to this would be to put a block at the top of the mast and at the base of the mast, have your line run from the aft end of the boom, up to the block at the top of the mast, down to the block at the base of the mast, and then back to the cockpit. You now have an adjustable topping lift.Hope this is not to confusing.Ben AllenMontgomery, AL"Latte Dah"O'Day 26