Running rigging option

[Rick]

During a recent rigging survey, I was questioned about the way my boat was set up. This is a 336 that had the traveler on top of the helm. The previous owners, had done some racing (with a 336... wow) and set the boat up this way. The main sheets run up to the boom 2/3rds out toward the end. Two blocks there that run down to two more on the jib tracks. Sheets then run aft where we use the two spinaker winches for trimming them. The traveler is still attached but isnt rigged. The boom is the original (I think) Z spar that came on the boat. With only one purchase point, am I overstressing the boom? The rigger didnt say this was dangerous since I would probably run out of weather helm before snapping it off, but it is tough to find information on a boom that old. Would another couple of purchases be in order or.. should I put it back to the original configuration? I have included the pictures.Thoughts anyone?Rick

 

[Rick]

Closer look

Here is a closer look at the boom. Yes that is the Midway. Cant believe they didnt give way Rick

 

[Kevin Bladsacker]

Looks oddly familiar

That resembles the mainsheet from the 27 Cherubini and the 27-2, at least from what we can see in the photo

 

[Monty Miller]

Contact Hunter Marine

We have a similar Hunter and I once looked into replacing the end boom traveller with a mid-boom cabin top one. I talked to Mike Thomas at Hunter and he told me that Hunter dealers installed cabin top travellers as an option. Mike can probably give you the specs. He warned me that the forces on a mid-boom setup are much greater than an end-boom one and that a special reinforced boom was required. So, if I were you, I would look for a serial or model number on the boom and contact Zpar or Hunter to see if yours is reinforced. If it is not, I would change back to the original system. The one in your photo looks like a home made solution and while it may give you a little more control of the boom I wouldn't trust it. Also, the jib track is now way overloaded. I hope this helps.

 

[Steve O.]

strange...

I can't say that I've ever seen a mainsheet rigged like yours. I would definetly put it back to original. If you want to investigate mounting a cabin top traveler, fine, but what you have now is jury-rigged.

 

[Rick]

Thanks alot

I concur completely. Going to return it to the original configuration.

 

[Joe]

change to mid-boom or end-boom...

..sheeting with a dedicated traveller, but definitely not that set up. Looks like the p.o. wanted more space in the cockpit but didn't want to pay the price for mid-boom sheeting conversion.