Reef lines

[Shaw_2112]

I got my 28.5 last year in September and found out immedialtely after I had cancer, real bitch, and it put off many of my plans that I had for my new to me boat. I've beat it so far and I'm ready to get back into the projects I had put off. I recently discovered that I'm missing one of the reefing lines that run through the boom and I'm looking for advice on how to run a new line. Fish tape maybe? Appreciate the advice, thanks.

 

[sail sfbay]

A seriatim of options come to mind through your 10.83 ft boom:

1. Fish tape (electrician snake) like you suggested
2. Take the boom off the mast, prop it up at a 30-40 degree angle and drop a weighted tag line, such as a bicycle chain through the boom
3. Kinda neat trick is to use a light piece of tag (messenger) line and a vacuum cleaner and suck the line out of the boom
4. Disconnect a lifeline, which has plenty of stiffness, and feed it through the boom
5. Tape together 2 of your longest battens, as it give you some directional control to work around the other lines, and feed it through the boom
6. Offer to buy a drink to the first person who can get it through the boom

 

[DArcy]

Some great ideas from sail sfbay, I really like number 6

Offer to buy a drink to the first person who can get it through the boom

I have a very cheap fish tape on the boat that I have used for running wire. I bought a $4, 20ft, flat drain auger from the dollar store that works really well for fishing wires, I have not tried it as a drain auger. It would be great for running lines through a boom.

 

[shemandr]

You need to avoid tangling other lines which may be in the boom such as the out haul or another reef line. So if you tighten those lines if they exist and run the new along the bottom of the boom you should be OK. It is easier with the boom off so you can sight down it. An outhaul may have 2:1 block in the boom or more not to mention an eye to attach the block. If you have an exit box you can remove it - usually fairly easy even if riveted to make fishing the new line through the exit easier.

 

[sail sfbay]

From the Hunter 28.5 manual below, hopefully the reefing line goes through the boom over sheaves at both ends WITHOUT going through a block.

 

[Ward H]

I use fiberglass "Fish Sticks", another tool for running wires. They come in a kit of 2', 4' and a couple of 6' fiberglass sticks that screw together to make one long stick. Being straight, they won't tangle with other in boom lines.

 

[Shaw_2112]

From the Hunter 28.5 manual below, hopefully the reefing line goes through the boom over sheaves at both ends WITHOUT going through a block.

View attachment 194910

you are correct, no block to remove

 

[Shaw_2112]

Thanks all, looks like I'll start with the fish tape and go from there. The fish sticks were an interesting option but I think the tape will probably do