Question on raising the gooseneck after mast replacement

[taylormade]

So I found a replacement mast for my some time last year and am finally getting around to swapping over all the hardware. I know I'll have to redo the front and rear stays, I was going to use my current front and rear stays as they're less than a year old and shorten them to use as my new side stays and then I'll get some new baby stays as well.

I've read about folks raising their boom to accommodate for the bimini and gaining some extra height in the cockpit. That sounds amazing to me and I'd love to take advantage of it. I've read that 10" higher seems to be the "sweet spot" but here's my dilemma: Since the original mast was shortened by three feet, I have no reference to what 10" higher really means. Can someone tell me where the gooseneck should be mounted off the deck?

Also, what else should I be considering when replacing the mast? I already have a new windex ready to mount, I was planning on running wiring inside as well for my new steaming light, spreader bar lights and a mast light up top. I know to wrap them in wire ties and leave the pigtails on to keep the wires from rattling around inside... what other advice can be gathered here?

Thanks!

[NiceAft]

I'm no marine mechanical genius, so forgive me if this is nonsensical. If the mast was shortened, how does that effect the height of the boom One is not going to lower the boom (no jokes please ) proportionally to how much the mast is shortened. At least in my head that makes sense.

Whatever the boom height was on the old mast, that should be the starting point for the ten inches on the new mast. Again, in my head this makes sense. Someone please enlighten me if I am wrong, or just misreading something.

Ray

[taylormade]

No worries Ray and I'm honestly not 100% sure that the boom was lowered to start. I don't really have any reference to go by. I just know that my boom appeared (in pictures) to be a lot lower than others in comparison. I think the PO snapped the mast and put the boom wherever it needed to be. The mainsail was also shortened quite a bit and the main halyard went all the way to the top of the mast. The boom was way too low to be able to use a bimini with the sails up.

I guess I just assumed he lowered the gooseneck (although lowering the boom DOES sound much cooler).

[NiceAft]

Can you post any pictures of what the previous boom and mast combo looked like?

[taylormade]

Why certainly I can!

[Ponaldpe]

[quote="taylormade"]So I found a replacement mast for my some time last year and am finally getting around to swapping over all the hardware. I know I'll have to redo the front and rear stays, I was going to use my current front and rear stays as they're less than a year old and shorten them to use as my new side stays and then I'll get some new baby stays as well.

I've read about folks raising their boom to accommodate for the bimini and gaining some extra height in the cockpit. That sounds amazing to me and I'd love to take advantage of it. I've read that 10" higher seems to be the "sweet spot" but here's my dilemma: Since the original mast was shortened by three feet, I have no reference to what 10" higher really means. Can someone tell me where the gooseneck should be mounted off the deck?

Also, what else should I be considering when replacing the mast? I already have a new windex ready to mount, I was planning on running wiring inside as well for my new steaming light, spreader bar lights and a mast light up top. I know to wrap them in wire ties and leave the pigtails on to keep the wires from rattling around inside... what other advice can be gathered here?

Thanks![/quote

Why not hank on the main and place the boom the best to keep the main full ?

[paul I]

Just a few thoughts...

Be sure check the wire size of the forestay and backstay before assuming you can cut them shorter for use as side stays. I believe the stock forestay was 1/8" wire. The side stays are 5/32".

With the mast up, why not just raise the main and get your mark for the gooseneck? That way you can take it to the highest point you feel comfortable with.

[taylormade]

Why not hank on the main and place the boom the best to keep the main full ?

Excellent advice! The only problem with that is I don't have a full sized main at the moment. I still have the shortened main. I was going to swap over everything and buy the main in late July. I suppose I could wait to do it all at the same time, I was just looking for something to do right now.

[taylormade]

Just a few thoughts...

Be sure check the wire size of the forestay and backstay before assuming you can cut them shorter for use as side stays. I believe the stock forestay was 1/8" wire. The side stays are 5/32".

Interesting, I'm pretty sure all my stays are the same diameter. I'll get a mic on it and confirm. Thanks!

[Russ]

My 2 cents

Raising the boom higher will raise the force higher and perhaps increase healing. Maybe not enough to matter.

Are you hitting your head on the boom while sailing? I lift it up high when NOT sailing.

--Russ

[Seapup]

Original mast is 28', Main is 24'9", So gooseneck up 36" should be about right for max headroom.

There are adjustable goosenecks (potter 19 is one) that slide into the mast track like a sail slug so you can adjust the boom height on the fly too.



If you want more bimini/headroom room you can also go with a shorter foot on the mainsail so it won't bonk you in the head. Most boats with a luff around 25' are designed for a sail with a foot 9-10'. The small loss of sail area is more than made up for if you pick up a well made sail.

I am 6'2 and was able to stand easily under a 72" long bimini after shortening the boom a bit and moving the pedestal back a bit.

[taylormade]

My 2 cents

Raising the boom higher will raise the force higher and perhaps increase healing. Maybe not enough to matter.

Are you hitting your head on the boom while sailing? I lift it up high when NOT sailing.

--Russ

Indeed it would, but according to others that have gone down this path, it doesn't make the boat more tender or at least noticeably so. I found some pics that confirmed my suspicions, the boom was really low before. The boom was right around my chin and there was no way to have a bimini up with any tension. It was basically a loose tent, ha.

[taylormade]

Original mast is 28', Main is 24'9", So gooseneck up 36" should be about right for max headroom.

There are adjustable goosenecks (potter 19 is one) that slide into the mast track like a sail slug so you can adjust the boom height on the fly too.

If you want more bimini/headroom room you can also go with a shorter foot on the mainsail so it won't bonk you in the head. Most boats with a luff around 25' are designed for a sail with a foot 9-10'. The small loss of sail area is more than made up for if you pick up a well made sail.

I am 6'2 and was able to stand easily under a 72" long bimini after shortening the boom a bit and moving the pedestal back a bit.

Awesome, thank you so much Seapup! I like the idea of the adjustable gooseneck. How does it stay put? Does that assume a boom vang is in use? I'm 6'1 and would love to be able to stand up under the bimini, but minimally I want to be able to sail with a bimini up, so if that means I have to duck around, so be it.

[taylormade]

So I measured my current setup and the gooseneck is 20" from the bottom of the mast. Coming up 16" will make all the difference in the world.

[133bhp]

Mast rake is a factor , mine was std 4d deg or more and would foul the bimini. I run it a degree or two off vertical with some prebend. Its pretty nuetral at the helm.

tip, do something about the mast wires, they clang internally, gets on your nerves,