The never-ending project to fill my hole in the ocean while bailing it out

Preparing for Sailing Season '09
Replacing the Boom

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Description

Though cool (low-50s) and overcast with a threat of showers, this morning there was no wind, hardly any air moving -- a good day to raise the main sail and rig the outhaul.  (May 3, 2009)

After unbagging the sail and hand-sewing a telltale back onto the leech (it got pulled off last fall when I tried to remove a batten), I hoisted it up the mast and out the boom.  Yes, at last there was room for a functioning outhaul. (See the old setup)

I attached a Harken triple bullet block to the eyestrap at the end of the boom, a double bullet block to a shackle on the sail's clew, and used a length of 1/4" line to join them. The line runs forward to a cleat on the middle of the boom just above the companionway.

The new boom and mainsail, ready to go. The reefing arrangement will work, as will the new cunningham. I intended to rig them, but the showers approached so I had to get the sail down and bagged ahead of them. (May 3, 2009)

The tweaking goes on. After some remarks and suggestions from the discussion group, I've decided to add a stronger anchor point at the aft end of the boom to attach the outhaul triple bullet block. My initial plan was to use a Ronstan RF30 spinnaker pole ring (photo at left), which seemed to fit nicely on the boom and has four holes for screws. I was going to use it to replace the eye strap, which some considered inadequate, but Louis Plaisance sent me a photo of his outhaul setup on "St. Benedict."  (May 9, 2009)

I decided to adopt the thru-bolted eyebolt, as he suggested.  (May 9, 2009)

I used the bail that I'd previously removed from mid-boom where it appeared to have been used for a vang, thru-bolted it again at the aft end. It's now used to attach the main sheet. (The bungie cord is being used in place of the main sail, just to keep tension on the double-block while I reeved the line.)

From another of Louis' suggestions, I also added a horn cleat opposite the one on the starboard side, ran the new 3/16" outhaul line from it, through the outhaul blocks, to the other side. Using the additional sheave in the triple-block will provide more mechanical advantage, and make the outhaul adjustable from either side of the boom.  (May 10, 2009)

Note the nice job Bob Donovan and his construction company crew did the other day, leveling the lot and spreading crushed stone.  [More]