I have a Bimini that touches the boom. I have extra space at the top of the mast. The boom is bolted to the mast. Is there a safe way to raise the boom 2"?
Raise the boom
- Thread starter patrickfarley
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The topping should only be used when the sail is NOT deployed or on rare occasions to fatten the sail (like in a light breeze) .
Depending on your main sail, if you simply drill a new hole and lift the boom, you would have to open up the edges of the groove to get the sail started. I always pinch my fingers as it is lol. We are thinking, if we were to install a Bimini (we want to) we would go over top of the back edge of our boom. Hmmmm
Topping lift works great for now. It makes the area a little to small for the sail.
I will get a picture of the gooseneck.
If I put in another bolt would that area be weakened?
I will get a picture of the gooseneck.
If I put in another bolt would that area be weakened?
The thing about using the topping lift is that you will fatten up the sail. That is fine if you are in a light breeze. The problem is you want the sail as flat as possible when things pipe up. Typically the out haul is what is used to adjust the sail's pocket.
Too many holes in a mast can be a problem. But if they they are not on the same cross section the danger is mitigated. Most masts have holes for halyard exit blocks (Which are way larger than a bolt hole), spreader hardware, etc. Most masts don’t fail except under extraordinary circumstances. If you hit a bridge and the mast collapses, I guess you can blame it on holes in the mast. But it’s not really so.
We still haven’t seen a picture of your gooseneck.
We still haven’t seen a picture of your gooseneck.
Pictures in two weeks. Recovering from surgery.
Now I wonder if there is a connection item to attach to the gooseneck to raise the boom.
Now I wonder if there is a connection item to attach to the gooseneck to raise the boom.
Probably not. Between the sheave exit and the top of the sail there must be room for the shackle and the splice or knot. There also must be clearance between the back stay and the sail headboard or the sail will hang up when tacking. It would be better to trim a little off he bottom of the Bimini supports.
An option is to use a sliding gooseneck. I put one on my Macgregor 26S and it works great. Gets the sail up a little farther. Just needs a downhaul to keep the boom from going up too far.
I didn't need to do anything to the sail feed area because that was high enough already.
Doug