proper boom height

[Sean McElligott]

On my 1978 H27, the boom is attached to the mast via a type of locking slider that sits in an aluminum channel that is screwed into the mast track. It has two locking positions, all the way up and all the way down. I have never adjusted boom height before and so my first question can anyone tell me what the adjustment is used for (sorry if that is obvious)? Second, I noticed that on my mast the aluminum channel seems like it is mounted a little high. I have the good fortune of having three other H27 at my marina and it seems like theirs are mounted lower. Does anybody know if there is a correct boom height (or aluminum channel height) measurement (maybe in a spec somewhere)?

 

[Dale E. Baker]

H-33 similiar

Sean;I asked the same question when I bought my C/H-33 three years ago. Never got a good answer. Here's a few things I discovered on my boat though that might help you.1. Any difference in healing the boat with the boom in the upper or lower position seems negligible.2. I have less close encounters of the boom kind with the boom in the upper position.3. The original topping lift seemed set for the lower position. So I replaced the wire with a 1/4" rope running through the second halyard sheave, down the mast and led back to the cockpit clutches. I can easily adjust the topping lift from the cockpit.4. In the upper position the topping lift does just catch the leech of the sail if the sail's flopping.5. The track is handy if you want to use a downhaul (instead of cunningham) to tension the luff.So I find I prefer to leave the boom in the fully raised position. Hope this gives you some information.

 

[Benny]

Clearance

As long as you can fully raise your main sail, the upper position for the boom is fine. It was probably set up to clear a dodger or bimini top or the head of a tall previous owner. If you lower it then you have to adjust the toping lift accordingly. Some cruisers cut their sails so they can raise the boom to provide more clearance. A racer would probably lower the boom to fit a taller sail. It's a matter of preference