Boom Alterations

[sparerooms]

Hi all

I have roller boom reefing on my Macwester 27, I'm not getting on with it and want to change it to slab reefing.

I have bought myself the Barton slab reefing kit. I've realised that I cant fit it, as the boom clamps/claws are in the way.

I am going to remove the whole boom clamp system which attaches the main sheet and kicking strap to the boom.

Big Questions???

Can I use the same boom and put some new fittings on it to attach the main sheet and kicking strap to?

Has anyone done this alteration?

What fittings did you use?

Did it work?

Any help would be appreciated many thanks

 

[doug748]

I used a low profile U bolt (the type with a fixed deckplate) for my mainsheet, with packing behind it. This was near the end of the boom though and not much use if you have to work any distance inside.
In which case you might consider using stainless steel eye plates, secured with 5mm ish pop rivets. Use some form of jointing compound or sealant to help prevent corrosion.

 

[PetiteFleur]

I did this on a 20' yacht many years ago, used the Barton kit and it worked well. From memory I removed the claw for the kicking strap and made a standard fitting for a standard kicking strap & tackle. The mainsheet went to a swivel strap on the end of the boom so no problem. The reefing lines went from fittings pop riveted to the boom and led back to the mast thro' eyes to stop it drooping, then cleats near the tack. The tack was hooked over homemade eyes on the gooseneck.

 

[Avocet]

I made a fitting out of some stainless sheet, with a D loop in it. The stainless was just riveted to the boom with monel rivets.

 

[William_H]

With my new boom made out of an old carbon fibre broken mast I went for minimum metal fittings on the boom trying to minimise head injury if it hits you. So with a round boom and loose footed sail (no bolt rope in a track along the foot) I used webbing for 2 main sheet attachments and one vang attachment. The attachment at the clew was downward with 4 wraps of double sided velcro. (rope would do also) and an outhaul system using a turning block set into the top of the boom using the eyelt as a "pulley" with the rope going back to a saddle on top of the boom. The main sheet attachments are essentially floating along the boom the vange webbing does a turn around the boom and was glued to the boom to hold it out towards the clew.
Likewise a little further forward of the clew I set another turning block in the top but just to one side with a saddle on the other side for the one reef. These are locateed ton give correct amount of outhaul and pull down to the boom when reefed. ie about 45 degrees from pulley and saddle to the eyelet. For a second reef I can do it by lashing the #2 reef clew down to the boom and out to the outhaul. The tack end is lashed around the boom and mast. So easist fitted before departure. But the first reef can be put in in seconds from the cockpit while sailing on the wind. I use a rope from a saddle on the side of the mast through the reef tack then down via a guiding saddle on the side of the mast to a turning block on the deck and back to a winch. The 2 saddles on the side of the mast are located so as to pull the tack both down and forward so about 45 degrees from saddles to eyelet when reefed. it all works well with a really well shaped main when reefed.
One other thing to check is that you have a stout slug on the luff at the top of the main sail. When fully up the halyard will pull the luff into the mast as well as up. When reefed you rely on the bolt rope or slug to hold the top of sail into the mast. (your main sheet trying to pull it out). A plain bolt rope will jamb in the track or small slug may break.
Two photos one showing the turning blocks at the gooseneck for outhaul and reefing lines
The other showing a bit of a mess with 2 reefs in. Tidying up the bunt of the spare sail is optional. good luck olewill
Oh no! the second photo is of the old boom it does show however the velcro strap for the full clew. This boom had side mounted blocks for the first reef but second reef is in with just rope around the boom. This old boom had rod supports for stowing a spin pole on the side of the boom. This idea now abandoned in lieu of stowing the pole next to the mast vertically. The pole on the boom interfered with the easy reefing. Note also the cloth cover over the compass to protect it from the sun. and 2 small winches each side of the cabin top for halyards.

P1000815.jpg (55.3 KB) boom1.jpg (22

 

[Fantasie 19]

I would use your current boom and just (monel) rivet the fittings ...

Have you also given thought to a mast gate, or some device to keep the mainsail sliders in the slot when reefing/unreefing?? That's my challenge when I eventually go from roller to slab...