Information for a tie-on boom

[leslie]

I am seeking information on instructions for a tie-on boom. We recently purchased a used Mistral board. We are interested in
finding out if there are any instructions for rigging the board and
information on the board itself? The printing on the board is TCS
and it is approximately 370 cm. We live in Boise, Idaho and have
not had luck finding anyone with knowledge. I can be contacted at leslie@true-lock.com. Thank you.
Leslie[/img]

[Jrobb]

Hi Leslie,

I can try to help you get your "new" rig set up but it is very difficult, if not impossible to explain in just words. I can take some pics as I describe what is going on, but the best is to watch someone first hand. In order to know exactly what yuo are working with can you take a pic of the boom head. (The part that will go on the mast...usually the thicker non adjustable end.) I need to see what type of cleats and where they are positioned.

In short. The boom head needs a rope same diameter as downhaul rope which can be purchased from a regular marine supply store or a windsurfing shop. It is bout the same diam. as a lead pencil, and should be at least 18" to 24" in length ( you may be able to cut off the extra after assembly).

one end goes through a hole or cleat on the head of the boom with a double figure "8" knot. I will post later tonight a website with animated knots being tied once I get home.

Insert the mast into the sail luff sleve (longest part of sail) and attach downhaul till tight. (mast extension should be set to manufacturer spec)

with sail on the ground, slide the boom over the top of the sail (opposite end of downhaul) with the boom head pointing at the downhaul and the boom tail or end near the top of the sail.

position the assembly so the mast sits under the neck of the boom head (curved portion) and the boom end sits on top of the mast.

From whatever side the line is tied off at on the boom head, wrap it around the mast three times going underneat the mast first and comming up around the top three times...each time should have a full wrap further from the boom head than the previous.

thread the remaining end through the cleat on the other side of the boom head and with that end in one hand and the other hand on the mast...rotate the mast and pull on the end of the line with the other. This cinches it up a little.

Now cleat the line off (in the cleat) and rotate the boom down into position. It should start to get tight about halfway down and be firm on the mast once it is perpendicular to the mast. If too loose, go back to the step where you rotate the mast and pull on the other end near the cleat. The boom should be snug but if you have to physicaly force it down into position, the it is too tight. Be careful of getting it too tight as you can crush the mast. (most novices don't get it tight enough though)

once boom is firmly attached, attach outhaul and inspect that sail is rigger properly.


I will rig my old sail I have lying around and snap some pics of each step and I can either post them here, or email them to you. A video is primo but I'm not that tech savy yet. :-D

My ultimate reccomendation though is forget this boom and get a used clamp on type. They are much easier to use...especially by kids. 50 bucks should get you a decent one...look on Iwindsurf.com or craigslist or ebay...just get a size that your sails boom measurments are within.

more later tonight


J

[Jrobb]

Here's the linky to the animated knot tying site. Click on the figure eight knot and for a double figure eight, at step#2 twist the loop one more time. This knot will hold tight once cinched up but is easy to undo ...kust push on either loose end of rope towards eachother.
http://www.animatedknots.com/fig8boating/index.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com

[ilya]

Hi, I was wondering, when I tie the rope around the mast should I go up or down the mast, or it doesn't matter? Also, jrobb, are you still planning on posting some pics?
Thanks.

[intermed-forever]

From the description, it sounds like that you own a Mistral Competition (if it has a mast-track and footstraps). I would think about as a minimum getting a new rig. Twenty year old gear is really heavy and is difficult to learn on. If you have a tie- down design boom, the sail is probably a dacron bag with very few or any battens.

[intermed-forever]

Hi, I was wondering, when I tie the rope around the mast should I go up or down the mast, or it doesn't matter? Also, jrobb, are you still planning on posting some pics?
Thanks.


If I remember my tie downs, are you keeping the boom in a non perpendicular angle from the mast when your tieing the rolling hitch knot and attaching the boom on the mast? When you pull the boom to perpendicular it will tighted the knot. Also wetting the line before you tie it to the mast will also make less prone to slippage.

[ilya]

I went to the local sailing club here in Madison, and they showed me how to tie a boom. It's actually not that bad, and only takes a few minutes. I think I will stick with that boom. There is no point to buy a new one for such an old board and mast like I have.

[Jrobb]

Yeah, still gonna post em but have been having computer troubles coupled with a hectic schedule to boot. I'll wrestle my digicam back from the GF and see what I can do.

J

[Mystery Bob]

I am seeking information , Leslie[/img]

Leslie, I have a Chinook clamp on boom front you can have if you want to pay the freight. mrebob@yahoo.com (Maui)

[benjybobs]

Yeah, still gonna post em but have been having computer troubles coupled with a hectic schedule to boot. I'll wrestle my digicam back from the GF and see what I can do.

J

Hi, I recently brought a very old board and sails (My first) and i would like to know how to tie the mast to the boom. Ill have to try and post some pictures of my boom etc if i can. I dont know how old it is but i havent yet found anything on the internet which is the same. I have already had some experience on another board but i have no idea on how to set up mine properly and dont want it to fall apart when im on the water. I hope i can post some picture's so that you can all help me and maybe find out what board and sail etc i have.

Thanks