I would like to raise the boom about 6" so that it would not rub on my bimini and flatten it out more.
Has anyone done this?
Would appreciate any thoughts or ideas.
Paul
PS: Cool Change returned from the North Channel just before Labor Day. My wife and I spend 2 1/2 months in this wonderful area.
Sailmaker may be able to modify the mainsail so the boom rests higher.
I am guessing you will have to raise the gooseneck AND have the sail recut.
Paulus : If you want to raise the boom (I assume with the Main sail UP??) you'll need to have the Mainsail recut!! Then you'll also have to move the "Goose Neck" up on the mast!!
If you are talking about with the Mainsail down (furled) you need to adjust the toping lift or adjust the boom vang!!
A few thoughts
Quote from: Paulus on September 22, 2023, 11:01:11 AM
I would like to raise the boom about 6" so that it would not rub on my bimini and flatten it out more.
Has anyone done this?
Would appreciate any thoughts or ideas.
Paul
PS: Cool Change returned from the North Channel just before Labor Day. My wife and I spend 2 1/2 months in this wonderful area.
Paul
I had the same issue with my Bimini/connecting awning to the dodger (it's a different story why.)
I raised the gooseneck on my 30 about 6" as I had at least that much leeway to the mast truck. I never regret doing it.
I ass/u/me that you have already done the math and have the room.
We had the same problem. Had a sail maker keep the tack location and raised clew 12". How much you raise the clew would depend on the height of your Bimini. Taking a wedge out of the bottom of the main was our choice.
Just my view , good luck
Phil
... longer and Higher
Appreciate the input. I have not measured yet if I can move the boom up and have the sail recut.
Thanks for the all the suggestions. Will measure on Monday.
Paul
Measured today can move the boom up 4-5". Has anyone done this and a pic would be helpful. The mainsail would have to be recut.
Thanks, Paul
Quote from: Holger Dieske on September 23, 2023, 04:31:24 AM
... longer and Higher
Hey,
Is your boom at the original height or have you raised it a bit? It looks like it's higher than mine.
Paul
As I said, "yes."
No pics.
I simply moved up the gooseneck bracket (it mounts differently than yours.)
If it gives you enough lift maybe use the top holes as the new bottom holes?
My boom had leeway as well and I shortened it a tad to help keep it from hitting on the angled-down connecting awning.
@Matthieu: the boom is about 30 centimeter higher and 1 Meter longer.
Holger,
How were you able to raise it 11" and still use the slot to get the main on the mast. A pic would be helpful.
Thanks,
Paul
Usually that is fixed by making a new slot.
I don't really understand the question. I'll take a photo where the tree goes to the mast.
But now everything is packed up in the laszybag and I'm at anchor in the south of the Pelopponese in a thunderstorm and rain.
Quote from: KWKloeber on September 25, 2023, 03:28:15 PM
Paul
As I said, "yes."
No pics.
I simply moved up the gooseneck bracket (it mounts differently than yours.)
If it gives you enough lift maybe use the top holes as the new bottom holes?
My boom had leeway as well and I shortened it a tad to help keep it from hitting on the angled-down connecting awning.
I like that idea Ken. I had our new sail made in 2016, they were supposed to cut the sail so that the aft end of the boom was raised by 6in. Not sure if they did that. The bolt on the end of the boom does touch the front edge of the bimini. But as you state, the boom is longer than needed. I could cut a few inches off of the boom and that would solve the problem that I share with the OP. However, that would also move the topping lift nearer to the mast and thus contact the sail more than it currently does. I have seen a SS support bracket that mounts on the end of the boom which lifts the lower end of the topping lift about 10" higher and that would solve the issue. Any idea of the name of that bracket? I believe that it's normally a component of a stack pack.
Paul
I have something similar but much shorter (4-5" I'd guess.)
It's just a stainless tang, hole on one end to fit the bolt on the cap on the boom and the other a slot (1" long??) to fit a shackle/block (how the 30 was originally rigged.) I turned the TL around (ran it to a new clutch on cabin top) so boom end is just a shackle on that tang.
If you had a shop cut you a strip out of 1/8" stainless and punched holes it it that would work.
Alternatively I designed, trial and improve) my "topping lift keep-away, which works great to keep my TL off the roach.
I found this in a MackSails video
https://youtu.be/DYa1AKO9JiM?si=xrWMwlSsMC-BnjYz
Paul
I don't have a Bimini (just a dodger) but I would think another, albeit more expensive solution, might be get a Boom Kicker or ridged boom vang. I use a ridged vang and no topping lift.
That's ok but I always like to have a Plan B (a TL that works and doesn't interfere) if the vang goes to hell.
I have the set up that Noah has: boom kicker/vang and removed the topping lift entirely. When the main sail is put away, the main halyard gets connected to the aft end of the boom to keep it from shaping the mast and support the boom.
I have a BoomKicker and a TL. As Ken said you never know what might happen. I also have a spare main halyard and a SST plate on the aft boom cap it can attach to before dropping the main as a last resort.
Update on raising the boom. I can move the gooseneck up 5" and use the top holes for the bottom holes. Spoke with the sailmaker and he wants to measure before I do anything.He wants to know how much room I have at the head of the sail. I had already taken down the main and put away for the winter. We will be doing this in the spring. Had our first snow in western Michigan(10" in Muskegon).
Thanks for all the input and ideas.
Paul
Paul : I installed a Garhauer ridged boon vang - then took of the topping lift as it was not needed!!
A few thoughts
Quotethen took of the topping lift as it was not needed!!
I have a ridged vang but use the topping lift to run fancy dress up the mast. The main halyard is busy with the inmast furling.
Jim
Quote from: Paulus on November 02, 2023, 04:03:36 AMUpdate on raising the boom. I can move the gooseneck up 5" and use the top holes for the bottom holes. Spoke with the sailmaker and he wants to measure before I do anything.He wants to know how much room I have at the head of the sail. I had already taken down the main and put away for the winter. We will be doing this in the spring. Had our first snow in western Michigan(10" in Muskegon).
Thanks for all the input and ideas.
Paul
Hi Paul,
I have recently run into an issue where I also need to raise my gooseneck (boom). I am curious if you would be willing to take a call or have an email discussion with me to discuss what I need to consider when undertaking this project. I am working with a sailmaker and canvas guy for a new dodger/bimini combo out of Muskegon. I believe you may be in that area as well. Please let me know if we can chat, and I'll provide you with my contact information. Thanks so much for considering it.
Nate
I took the opposite course. Our boom only occasionally bumped the leading edge of the bimini. But before it started to wear a hole in the Sunbrella material, I shortened the Bimini tubes an inch on each side. I am 6'4" and have practiced ducking for a lifetime, my wife is 5'3", we are both happy and so is the bimini.
The solution seems pretty simple. All you need is to talk to your local sail maker about putting a Flattening Reef. That will meet all your requirements. Raise the clew and of the boom and flatten the sail. Raising the whole boom just see drastic and expensive.
Kirk
Nate, I sent you my phone #. I will be in Muskegon this morning and also Wednesday morning. I am finished with raising the boom and the sailmaker cut off a small part of the bottom of the sail after measuring the sail. Boat is docked in the north channel at present. Needed to come home for business.
Will be returning on Wednesday to the North Channel.
Paul
I moved the gooseneck up 4" and had the main recut. Have been sailing in the North Channel all summer. Very pleased with the results. Thanks for all the input. Will be putting the boat in storage around Sept. 5. Great summer of sailing.
Paul