Ease the Boom to Raise the Main

[wolfenzee]

A boom gallows that has three positions enables you to tend to the main while just barely keeping wind in the jib, while in one of the off center positions (just have to slack off for the last few inches). As an extra bonus the boom will not thrash around.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by perchance

Oh yea. Except I don't have one.

What.. a topping lift...? easy to set up....

[aquarian]

Originally Posted by perchance

How does one keep the sail out of the water? If I read this right the boom is allowed to swing to leeward by easing the main sheet and then hoist the main.

I have never had that problem. Got to think now - why not? I'm going out tomorrow to figure it out. Nothing like sailing with a mission.

[Hydra]

I don't have a boom gallows and I don't feel that I need one. When not sailing, the boom end rests on the deckside, to clear the cockpit. To keep the boom near horizontal when hoisting or lowering the main or reefing, I use a topping lift. Some yachts have a rigid vang instead but I don't like this solution.

And I noticed that the airflow on the jib does a good job of damping the roll motion and preventing the mainsail from flogging too wildly.

Alain