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Boom Attachment

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mulvaneym7
Deckhand

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USA
19 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/18/2021 : 12:13:52

Hi there,

I am a newbie and trying to figure out the boom. On my Catalina 25, there's no gooseneck (which I think is true of all of them). But what I'm confused about is then how the boom attaches. I have it attached in the following way (see pics) but it shouldn't drop when the sail isn't raised right? Or does it? It feels too loose (and dangerous as it drops when the sail isn't raised) and like I'm missing a part of attaching the boom. Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

https://www.amazon.com/photos/shared/PqgdKIc4S82yemaxj3Fm7A.C7PQGVAaUgCzFebnHv6vAC

https://www.amazon.com/photos/shared/PqgdKIc4S82yemaxj3Fm7A.C7PQGVAaUgCzFebnHv6vAC

https://www.amazon.com/photos/shared/PqgdKIc4S82yemaxj3Fm7A.C7PQGVAaUgCzFebnHv6vAC

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5851 Posts

Response Posted - 06/18/2021 : 12:37:35

That's a gooseneck, i.e. a flexible attachment between the boom and mast.

Usually there's some type of stopper in the slot below the boom to prevent the boom from dropping all the way to the bottom of the mast when the sail is down. In your photo there's a knurled knob above the boom. That appears to be one type of stopper. If you'll put one of those in the slot below the boom, it should prevent the boom from dropping too far.

Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind"
previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22
Past Commodore

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9013 Posts

Response Posted - 06/18/2021 : 18:33:49

To add to Steve's reply, you apparently have a "sliding gooseneck", although we can't see it well here. (Knowing the vintage of the boat helps--the goosenecks were sliders until about 1988 or '89, and then attached to the mast.)

With the slider, the tension on the mainsail's luff is meant to be maintained by a "down-hall" line from the eye on the bottom of the slider to a cleat that is typically mounted in the mast slot close to the cabin-top. Therefore the boom slides up and down. Steve's suggestion (which many of us have done) keeps it from sliding down further than necessary, which can help with headroom in the cockpit when the sail is down. But the down-haul line is also necessary to tension the sail and keep the gooseneck from rising to the opening in the slot where it could pop out under sail--I don't want to think about where that could lead.

Welcome, and don't hesitate to keep asking... We've all gone through this initial discovery process!

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge

mulvaneym7
Deckhand

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USA
19 Posts

Response Posted - 06/20/2021 : 01:36:39

Thanks guys! That all makes sense and I appreciate it. The current setup keeps the boom from dropping too much on the luff side of the sail-it's as you guys mentioned- but the leech side of the boom (or the back- as I may be saying it wrong) drops almost all the way to the floor when the detached from the backstay unless the sail is up. It's like it feels like there should be something holding that up? Or is it that just the way it works- it's meant to drop unless the mainsail is hoisted? I posted a pic from the back to see if that helps. Thanks so much.

https://www.amazon.com/photos/shared/vKCWbmDKQPSjpOmr7WM4KA.1AJvNiS05NyUCuM0FI9lmZ

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 06/20/2021 : 05:44:19

The short wire attached to the backstay is referred to as the pigtail. It's purpose is to hold the boom up and centered over the boat when the sail is down. When you are sailing, keep the snap hook attached to the backstay to keep it out of the way. Some members have removed the pigtail completely, others use it, as I do. The risk of keeping it attached until you have raised the main is forgetting to unhook it before the sail fills. Unless you are single-handing the boat, as the person on the helm, you can always hold the boom as the sail comes down and attach it to the pigtail. In certain wind conditions, you may want the boom to come all the way down into the cockpit. I would suggest adding a topping lift next time your mast is down. That is a line attached to the top of the mast that comes down to a small block at the end of the boom, then forward to a cleat on the boom. Good quality 1/4" works. that line will keep the boom from falling into the cockpit when you lower the main. It can also be used to adjust fullness in the main going downwind or take boom weight off the main in very light air.

DavidP
1975 C-22 SK #5459 "Shadowfax" Fleet 52
PO of 1984 C-25 SK/TR #4142 "Recess"
Percy Priest Yacht Club, Hamilton Creek Marina, Nashville, TN

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5851 Posts

Response Posted - 06/20/2021 : 05:55:10

What you need is either a topping lift or a boom kicker. A topping lift is the simplest, least costly and most common choice. Here's a link to a thread where we discussed the pros and cons of both devices. There are also descriptions of how to rig a topping lift. The thread is fairly lengthy, but worth reading through, because it should answer all your questions about the subject. http://catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=31764&SearchTerms=topping lift

Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind"
previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22
Past Commodore

mulvaneym7
Deckhand

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USA
19 Posts

Response Posted - 06/20/2021 : 08:17:49

That's what I was looking for. Thanks so much. Much appreciated.

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9013 Posts

Response Posted - 06/20/2021 : 10:52:31

Yup--a topping lift! Forget the pigtail, or you'll find out why the first time you forget to unhook it after hoisting the sail and before you turn away from the wind. For this stated reason, Catalina Direct has omitted it from their stock backstays. (I know some folks here still use it, just like some standard-shifters use reverse gear instead of a parking brake... Oops!

)

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge

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