Back Stay Boom Support
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Tsatzsue
- Chief Steward
- Posts: 94
- Joined: Tue May 03, 2011 4:22 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Charlton, MA
Back Stay Boom Support
I finally got my sails up this weekend on my Mac 25...finally but still in the driveway. Evidently there is no suppoort for the boom on the back stay. This was something that was on the Oday that I learned on. There is no topping lift either. Has any one made modifications here? I have ideas but I thought that I would ask the forum first.
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Bob McLellan
- Engineer
- Posts: 128
- Joined: Tue Oct 31, 2006 3:11 pm
- Sailboat: Venture 2-22
- Location: Mesa, Arizona
Re: Back Stay Boom Support
On my back stay there is a spliced on wire about 12-inches, with a hook that attaches to the aft end of the boom when at anchor. Not to be used when sailing. I will be adding a topping lift when I get back to the boat.
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THE CUSCUS
- First Officer
- Posts: 344
- Joined: Fri Sep 11, 2009 7:59 am
- Sailboat: Venture 25
- Location: North East River, MD
Re: Back Stay Boom Support
Hello, there is related thread on this in the powersailor discussion forum here. Here is my topping lift solution.
I used 1/8 plastic coated ss wire rope on my topping lift set-up. The top end is attached to the masthead and the lower end is about 20" short of the boom. On this end is a small block (for 1/4 line). Then close to the end of the boom I have, on the starboard side, an eye strap and on the port side a small cheek block. Forwards on the port side (about 12"), is a small cleat. I take a piece of 1/4 line and tie a stopper knot on one end then feed the line up through the eye strap to the block on the end of topping lift cable, then down through the cheek block and then finally cleat it off. This setup allows you to easily adjust the height of your boom, and since its triangular in shape, doesn't cock the boom (side load) to one side either. It is also easy to breakdown when lowering the mast for transport.
I used 1/8 plastic coated ss wire rope on my topping lift set-up. The top end is attached to the masthead and the lower end is about 20" short of the boom. On this end is a small block (for 1/4 line). Then close to the end of the boom I have, on the starboard side, an eye strap and on the port side a small cheek block. Forwards on the port side (about 12"), is a small cleat. I take a piece of 1/4 line and tie a stopper knot on one end then feed the line up through the eye strap to the block on the end of topping lift cable, then down through the cheek block and then finally cleat it off. This setup allows you to easily adjust the height of your boom, and since its triangular in shape, doesn't cock the boom (side load) to one side either. It is also easy to breakdown when lowering the mast for transport.
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Sea Wind
- First Officer
- Posts: 402
- Joined: Mon Mar 28, 2011 9:45 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Mayo, MD Suzuki DF90hp
Re: Back Stay Boom Support
I have a line attached to the top of the mast, next to the backstay attachment and then goes around the boom. No carabiners or other hardware used. Cost=$10
Sea Wind
Sea Wind
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THE CUSCUS
- First Officer
- Posts: 344
- Joined: Fri Sep 11, 2009 7:59 am
- Sailboat: Venture 25
- Location: North East River, MD
Re: Back Stay Boom Support
Under sail, its just there. Once the sail is raised, it becomes somewhat slack as the sail is now holding the boom up. My main is about 6" in from the end of the boom, and the eye strap and cheek block are as far back on the boom as they can go. Sometimes when you tack, the leech gets snagged on the wire, but just grab the wire and pull it loose.