Raising the Boom

[Guest Scott Cozad]

Ever since I first rigged my weekender I have not been happy with the hight of the boom as shown below. This has probably been brought up many times, but I have not been hanging around the forums much the last year. Anyway, one thing I want to accomplish this year is to get the boom above head level in the cockpit. The 2 reasons I want to do this is for comfort (I hate ducking so much every time I tac, and also for safety (I am not that great of sailor and almost took my brothers head off from an accidental jibe that turtled us a couple of years ago). I have seen some weekenders/vacationers that have been modified and wondering the best mod for me (raising mast, modified sail plan, different peak halyard setup, ECT). I am more worried about safety and enjoying my time on the lake than getting peak performance out of Shirley Ann.

Any comments or thoughts would be appriciated?

Thanks,

Scott Cozad

[capt jake]

Well Scott, a few of us simply extended the 'stub' of the mast. Mine is extended about 9", think T. Nelson's is a bit more. Nelson has already gone thorugh the modifications, while I am still in the construciton phase.

[Craig]

Scott when I did the tabernacle mod on our boat I had to raise the compression/stub post by nearly 24". I cut down the stock post for the tab and spliced a new section of 4x4 to the old. I routed out a long trough on each face about 1" deep and embedded a 1/2" piece of steel rebar cast in epoxy. That stub mast will be around long after the boat is gone. I only restored the design height but the same process will work to raise your rig. This is an easy mod to do. Mine needs to be raised too but I need to wear out, or rust out, the 3/16 SS shrouds first. A bit pricey to replace those after only two years

[Guest Scott Cozad]

Thanks for the replies. My only worry of raiseing the mast is I made mine out of poplar, and it is quite heavy and I don't want to make her more unstable. When I had that knockdown a couple of years ago she went turtle immediately which may have been due to mast weight. I may just make a new extended one out of pine. For those of you who have raised it, does that throw off the angle of the mainstay for the jib???

[T. Nelson Surbrook]

Scot,

I raised the boom by 14 inches (I am tall) and it did change the angle of the forestay but it doesn"t seem to make any differance. The boat has a little more heal but not much and it is ok. If you raise the boom by raising the mast you will have to lengthen the shrouds and forestay as well. I have made a lot of mods. to the boat and this is one of the best ones. I really like not having to duck all the time. Good luck and if you make the change let us know how it worked out.

[Guest Scott Cozad]

T.Nelson,

I hope you don't mind me posting your pic, but it was your post that inspired me to want to make this mod. It took me a while looking at your pic to realize that is a stock size mainsail (am I right?). That monster jib threw me off for a bit. Your ship looks awsome. I can't wait to make this mod!!!!

Thanks for correcting me on the forestay (not mainstay duh) I am forgeting my boat terminoligy.

[Guest Scott Cozad]

Ray,

Your post disapeared before I got a chance to read. I am interested to hear abot the preventer. I like your idea about making an extension for the shrouds which may help another thing I dislike about my rigging, when I try to raise the mast and my turnbuckels bind. When you are alone trying to rig it can be very frustrating :x.