Snapdragon 890 spars question.
- Thread starter dbrdh
- Start date
[70521]
Well-Known Member
Are you aware of the Snapdragon Mirage and Invaders Association lots of very good technical information there.
peteK
Well-Known Member
I thought most boats were like that certainly the ones I have owned/sailed were.
wilkinsonsails
Well-Known Member
In the absence of winches, it was a way of getting the luff tight .
Haul sail up and push boom down or pull down with a short purchase .
The winches you have there ,mean you could lock the boom off and not worry about tensioning .
Haul sail up and push boom down or pull down with a short purchase .
The winches you have there ,mean you could lock the boom off and not worry about tensioning .
Stemar
Well-Known Member
My Snapdragon 24 is similar, but the slot for fitting the sail is above the boom. It looks as though you'd have to remove the boom to get the mainsail sliders into the mast slot. Is that correct?
That little knurled nut looks as though it's an adjustable stopper that would keep the boom from dropping too far and, with the main up, the kicking strap would keep it from rising, though I did modify my setup to have a stopper each side of the boom
That little knurled nut looks as though it's an adjustable stopper that would keep the boom from dropping too far and, with the main up, the kicking strap would keep it from rising, though I did modify my setup to have a stopper each side of the boom
dbrdh
New Member
Thanks for that but need to join to see any info. Not sure they have what I need unless someone knows different...
dbrdh
New Member
Thanks for the post. This is my first bigger boat - previously sailing dinghies and currently have a Frolic 18' all with a fixed boom. Just wondered if I needed a downhaul of some description or whether the kicker is enough...
dbrdh
New Member
You're right, I'll have to remove the boom to fit the sail. Wasn't sure if that stopper was for above or below the boom. Could get another I suppose for fitting above. The sail doesn't seem to have sliders either but I have pictures from the previous owner with the sail down and wrapped in a cover on the boom ???
doug748
Well-Known Member
I had a similar set up but there was a stopper integral with the gooseneck slider. It's a great system because it allows you to hoist the main and then adjust the luff tension without disturbing the winch - but you really need a small tackle from the base of the mast, as suggested by wilkinsonsails.
As it is so easy to use, and precise, you are much more likely to bother getting the trim right.
seadog30
Well-Known Member
Hi, we have a very similar goose neck on our 1972 boat.
1) Set the knurled stopper at the level where you dont want the boom to sink below.
2) Rig up a block and tackle one end fixed to the boom gooseneck and the other fixed to the base of the mast directly below.
3) When you raise the mainsail pull the halyard up until the head of the main is as far as it will go, then pull the gooseneck down using the block and tackle until you have the correct luff tension on the sail.
I used a kicking strap block and tackle from a dinghy that had a clam cleat to jam the rope .
Good luck
1) Set the knurled stopper at the level where you dont want the boom to sink below.
2) Rig up a block and tackle one end fixed to the boom gooseneck and the other fixed to the base of the mast directly below.
3) When you raise the mainsail pull the halyard up until the head of the main is as far as it will go, then pull the gooseneck down using the block and tackle until you have the correct luff tension on the sail.
I used a kicking strap block and tackle from a dinghy that had a clam cleat to jam the rope .
Good luck
LittleSister
Well-Known Member
Rather, I'd say, pull the halyard until the head of the main is as far as it ought to go. You don't want any knot or splicing pulled through a block and/or into the mast. (There may be a black line marking the 'proper' height of the head of the sail.)
Poignard
Well-Known Member
Your boom was originally designed for roller- reefing and, like many, has been converted to slab reefing.
Mine was also a roller-reefing boom converted and the gooseneck was able to move up and down about 15-18", on an external track, as most roller-reefing goosenecks were.
I kept this arrangement because I like it because
1. I don't need to use a winch to hoist the main. I haul it up to the stop at the top of the track by hand and then use a downhaul tackle to pull the gooseneck down and so tension the luff.
2. If I ever need to set the sail in a hurry in a confined area I can quickly haul up the sail and leave the downhaul alone until I am in open water and have time to tension it.
You will need to fit a simple downhaul tackle to the gooseneck.
As LittleSister points out, you must not be able to pull the halyard eye splice into the mastead sheave. If there is not a stop on the top of the track to prevent this you should fit one. Meanwhile, you could attach the sail using a halyard knot which is fairly bulky and probably would not go int the sheave housing but you can easily test this.
dbrdh
New Member
Funny you should say! When I first looked at the luff end of the boom, my first thought was that it looked like it was for roller reefing. It doesn't rotate though and I can't see where it's locked to prevent this. However, your post makes complete sense and helps a lot - I was thinking along these lines by deduction but its great to get some good advice and affirmation!
Thanks again.