Barton Boomstrut, anyone got one?

[Quandary]

I am contemplating fitting a Boomstrut to our Moody s31, though last season I seemed to manage fine with just the topping lift, not really noticing the absence of support for the boom when raising or lowering the sail that much.
Anyone use one who would like to comment on It?

I was also amazed to discover that we seemed to be able to sail fine with the little traveller up forward on the coachroof and the mainsheet terminating under the sprayhood, perhaps a sign that we have stopped trying? certainly we seemed more irritated by the lack of punch from the folding prop than upwind sailing ergonomics.

 

[cpedw]

I fitted one last week and the boat is laid up so I don't have any on-water experience to report but I can say it was much easier to fit than I suspected from reading the instructions.

I used a pre-existing mast fitting then used bits of rope to temporarily locate the boom fitting so I could find the position where the down force on the boom end was right. It was a slow, repetitive process of trial and error but straightforward.

So far I am very happy with the way it works.

I am considering doing away with the topping lift; will probably retain it next season and see how we go thereafter.

Derek

 

[Ric]

I have one on my Jeanneau 32 and it is excellent. I have done away entirely with the annoying topping lift.

 

[Quandary]

I was concerned that after a year or two of use the continued flexing movement might lead to fatigue and consequent boom droop?

 

[cpedw]

I was concerned that after a year or two of use the continued flexing movement might lead to fatigue and consequent boom droop?

There have been several postings here, some going back several years, and they all seem quite positive about the boomstrut.
E.g. http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?115843-Boomstrut-or-Rod-Kicker http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?151810-Barton-Boomstrut (not 100% positive) http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?62174-Barton-boomstrut
No-one that I found has reported loss of spring. I'm keeping fingers crossed.

 

[PetiteFleur]

I've got one on my Moody 33 and it's excellent. Fitted about 8yrs ago. One strut did break whilst on the mooring after a couple of seasons but was replaced FOC by Barton - it did appear to have been poorly manufactured but that's the only problem I've found. I make sure when I leave the boat that I don't tension the kicking strap hardly at all to make sure it won't happen again. The redundant topping lift is now tied to the backstay as an emergency main halliard if required.

 

[Quandary]

Thanks for the positive responses, and for the links, I did not search far enough, interesting that the price has almost trebled in ten years when we thought we were living in a period of low inflation.

 

[Concerto]

If you are considering a solid kicker, then also consider the one from Z-Spars. That I what I fitted to my Fulmar, but it did need a lot of shortening for a correct fit of the boom. The boom fitting should be 1.75 times the height of boom above the kicking strap position, giving an angle of about 30 degrees from horizontal. So check this out with the Barton Boomstrut.

Whichever one you fit, you will be pleased with the control and support of the boom. Makes life so much easier.

 

[underdog]

very pleased with my barton boomstrut fitted to my boat 18 months ago

 

[ditchcrawler]

Fitted one to my Moody 31 some 7 seasons ago. Excellent bit of kit. Have the topping lift down the side of the mast in case I ever need a spare halyard. A lot cheaper than the Selden strut.

 

[alahol2]

Fitted a boomstrut 2 (or is it 3) years ago when the topping lift broke. It has been a great improvement over the topping lift. Definitely no sign of any loss of 'spring' and it was second hand when I bought it. It certainly doesn't seem to be showing its age. The simplicity of the design appeals.

 

[Daydream believer]

Can someone please explain what it is supposed to do that is so special.
I have used a topping lift all my sailing life & have never found it a problem. It leads to a jammer on the cabin & is quick to adjust if needs be.
So why does one need a boom strut??

 

[sealegsjim]

I had one for several years on my last boat, a First 285. It was excellent and no droop. I originally fitted it because I had lost the topping lift up the mast - not me but my significant other

 

[Ric]

Can someone please explain what it is supposed to do that is so special.
I have used a topping lift all my sailing life & have never found it a problem. It leads to a jammer on the cabin & is quick to adjust if needs be.
So why does one need a boom strut??

I had topping lift before I fitted the boom strut. I didn't really realise how annoying the topping lift was until I got rid of it. Too loose, it flapped against the leech of the sail. Too tight and it had to be fiddled with every time I adjusted the twist in the sail. Or I would forget about it completely and find myself tightening the main sheet against the topping lift (my boom is still slightly banana shaped as a result..). Another benefit is that I can now zip my boom tent to the front edge of the bimini and have uninterrupted shade from rear of cockpit to mast. Getting rid of it is just one of many small incremental improvements that make sailing more comfortable.

 

[PetiteFleur]

Can someone please explain what it is supposed to do that is so special.
I have used a topping lift all my sailing life & have never found it a problem. It leads to a jammer on the cabin & is quick to adjust if needs be.
So why does one need a boom strut??

Because it automatically lifts the boom as soon as you release the kicking strap - no need for a topping lift or a jammer. Makes reefing easier and one less job to do. It's adjusted so that as soon as you release the kicking strap the boom rises - an excellent piece of kit.

 

[coveman]

I have one on my Etap22i that was put on by the previous owner - seems to work very well and one less piece of rope to get caught on something!