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The boom end casting was originally riveted onto the end of the boom extrusion.
The two tangs, for the topping lift and the mainsheet respectively, are held by by a bolt with a nylock nut, which holds the tangs securely
while allowing them to rotate on it.
As part of replacing the rivets with bolts and threads in the casting, David Tessier (#319 Trois Bouleaux) also attached a strong (slightly modified) Wichard eye on each side of the boom.
The eye on the starboard side of the boom serves to anchor three slab reefing lines: termination at eye on starboard side of aft end of boom, up to the aft reef cringle in the leech of the mainsail, down to a dedicated turning block on boom just aft of the aft reef cringle, and forward along the boom to a cleat near the mast. This arrangement enables the "clew" of the reefed mainsail to be held close to the boom by the turning block, while the boom end attachment leaves space on the starboard side of the boom for the bunt to hang rather freely and un-crumpled. This seems like an improvement on both counts over some common in boom reefing line (end-boom/cringle/turning-block-in-end-of-boom) arrangements. A simple sweating technique, facilitated with a low friction strong track and appropriate sheeting and topping lift settings, is used in lieu of a reefing winch, including when reefing solo, hove-to, in strong wind.
The second, port-side, eye is available for other purposes such as, - attaching a boom-end-to-stem preventer, and
- securing the boom, in conjunction with the mainsheet, while at anchor.
Photos and description courtesy of
David F. Tessier
#319 Trois Bouleaux
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Offshore Sailing
by Bill Seifert with Daniel Spurr
We went to a Windjammers lecture to hear Bill Seifert and I was impressed enough to buy
the book on the spot. I've heard a lot of people talk about ways to improve a boat, but
I've never heard one person suggest so many good ideas that I hadn't considered. Part
of the charm is the specificity of the suggestions. Everyone says you should secure your
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The suggestions are very practical for the do-it-yourselfer, too. Many show how to
make or adapt inexpensive solutions. Tip #12 on closing the deck blower vents is one
that will pay off for me without ever going offshore. I'll implement that one to
stop the wintertime storms from finding their way belowdecks.
Besides modifications, the book also includes advice for operating offshore, cooking,
boat selection, dealing with bureaucracy, and more.
Bill Seifert has worked at Tartan, TPI, and Alden Yachts. He's a veteran of many
Marion-Bermuda races and now runs his own yacht management company. His tips are
born of experience--not of book-learning--and it shows. He obviously knows his
stuff.
(Note: commissions earned from this link help defray the costs of this website)
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