[C320-list] Bent out of shape! Securing Boom and Genny

[Dennis Harris]

Similar idea that I use, but a little different, for keeping the boom from 
swinging and rubbing the sail. I have two 1" nylon straps, with a hook with 
eye on each and also a plastic quick release fitting on each strap.  Run 
each strap through the eye of the hook and adjust the lengths of the straps 
as appropriate. When mainsail is down, hook each one of the strap hooks into 
the topping lift shackle. Lead one strap around the starboard split backstay 
and snap the quick release hook together. Repeat for the port strap/port 
back stay.  Tighten up the topping lift and the mainsheet, adjusting it so 
that the sail cover doesn't rub on bimini (additionally, I have two other 
nylon straps with plastic quick snaps that I place around the end of the 
boom to gather up the excess from the sail cover so that I don't have to 
hoist the boom very high to clear the bimini).

As to the roller furled genoa, when I cleat it off, I use a whole series of 
reversed figure eights on the cleat...piles the line up (and maybe is not 
too shipshape) but I've never had a problem with line working loose...if one 
figure eight works loose, there are others to hold the furling line secure. 
If wind is going to pick up, I'll pass a short line though the grommet on 
the genoa and tie it around the the sail securely, and in real storms, I'll 
tie this line to the pulpit additionally.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Robert E. Sloat" <resloat at comcast.net>
To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Sent: Monday, December 21, 2009 4:09 PM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Bent out of shape! Securing Boom and Genny


> Brad-I am at a slip in Waukegan Harbor on Lake Michigan from early April 
> until mid October.  My drill to keep the boom from wiggling around and the 
> 150 Genoa from accidentally unfurling follows:
>
> I have a few feet of old 1/4 inch line which secures the boom at its end 
> to the to the split backstays.  The line has two nylon snap hooks and 
> connects to the end of the boom at a small shackle attached to the boom. 
> Basically, you snap one of the hooks to shackle on the end of the boom, 
> then the other hook to one of the backstays, then wrap the line around the 
> other backstay and go back to the shackle at the boom and wrap the line 
> around both lines leading to the backstays and add a few strategic half 
> hitches and the boom is fixed.  I use it right after dropping the main to 
> keep the boom from flopping around which occurs in confused seas even with 
> the sheet tight.  At the slip adjust the main sheet with the sail cover on 
> so it does not rub on the dodger and make any minor adjustment if 
> necessary to the contraption attached to the end of the boom.  You can 
> keep it on the backstays when under sail by wrapping it around both of 
> them and tying it off or just drop it in the port locker in the cockpit or 
> in one of the sheet bags near the cabin entrance.
>
> A two foot line with an eye on one end wraps around the furled genoa when 
> at the slip.  I take it off before leaving the slip and attach it to a 
> post near my spring line so upon return it is pretty hard to not see it 
> when attaching the spring line.  When at the dock the furling line is also 
> secured to a cleat with the loose tail also secured.
>
> There a number of sailors in our harbor who must be Eagle Scouts and are 
> in the "Be Prepared" mode since they also secure both the jenny and main 
> boom with lines of some sort.
>
> I saw the results of a poor sailor who merely secured the headsail furling 
> line to a cleat and high winds eventually uncleated the line and the genny 
> unfurled and was damaged even before some good samaritan helped out.
>
> For boat on cans, I have seen booms gibe swinging because they were not 
> secured beyond the mainsheet.  Our mid sheet booms offer this potential.
>
>
> Robert E. Sloat
> Savannah Hull 894
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Brad Kuether" <bkuether at comcast.net>
> To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
> Sent: Sunday, December 20, 2009 4:31 PM
> Subject: [C320-list] Bent out of shape!
>
>
> Went down to visit Independence, as I had not had a chance to go down 
> before the "big storm".
>
> My biggest fear was that the main sheet had come loose letting the boom 
> swing back and forth back and forth crash into the shrouds.
>
> Well, fortunately while the sheet was loose, it wasn't loose enough to 
> allow more than a few feet of play.
>
> I did go down below, only just to be sure I had remembered everything from 
> my winterizing experience.
>
> All of the doors were jammed!!!!  So was the chart table but I got it 
> open.
>
> Hoping it was just the normal stuff that happens and not the weight of the 
> snow.  Oh and cleared that off too....
>
> -Brad, Mary, Monica, and Jarod
> "Independence"
> 2004 Catalina 320 Hull 1006
> Middle River, MD