What's this for?

[sailnewbie]

I have this hoop about 3' aft of the mast on the bottom side of the boom, I think it's for a down haul perhaps but not sure and if so what's the purpose of the down haul? Fyi There's also a hoop just aft of the mast mounted in cabin top.

 

[pateco]

This is for a Boom Vang. Allows you to put tension on the boom to flatten the sail more in higher winds

Most are mounted near the bottom of mast as shown, but some are mounted to the deck just aft of the mast.

 

[Justin_NSA]

What Chip said. The bails are what's left of a boom vang setup. Nice to have in a downwind course.

 

[sailnewbie]

Thanks much, nice to know! Another piece of the puzzled learned

 

[justsomeguy]

Try to imagine how the use of a vang will work with roller reefing the main sail...

 

[sailnewbie]

Good point, yea not so much!

 

[Justin_NSA]

I've wondered that myself on all boats that have roller reefing. Do you have to disconnect everything attached to the boom?

 

[justsomeguy]

I've wondered that myself on all boats that have roller reefing. Do you have to disconnect everything attached to the boom?

There's a special horseshoe-type roller bail made that allows the boom to rotate.

But still, whoa.

 

[Freedom77]

Yeah, most likely for the vang. As I have mentioned a few times, roller reefing was not one of Roger's better ideas. Unless your reefed at the dock it a hassle. Invest in reef points. You'll be happier.