Boom Hardware

When rigging the "Widget", the main sheet is rigged on the transom and the end of the boom which gives more cockpit space. The Ronstan Double Block (part number: RF1256) is mounted on a metal strap at the end of the boom. The main sheet is run from the port side of the transom through one sheave and then to a stand-up block mounted on the starboard side of the transom. The sheet is then threaded through the other sheave of the block at the end of the boom and then down to another stand-up block with a Camcleat mounted on it.
The bottom of the main sail is threaded in a groove on the top of the boom and secured with a line through a hole at the end of the boom. The second hole was for the topping lift, but I did not want it to be fixed. I therefore attached a Shaefer block to the second hole and mounted a cleat on the other side of the boom. Now I can adjust the height of the back of the boom and raise it up when anchored.

Rigging the Main Sail - After the mast has been secured with the fore and side stays, it is now time to put the boom on. The front of the boom has a hinged "mounting" fitting which is placed into the opening in the mast for the boom and sail slugs. You then slide the boom down to the height that you want it and secure the line attached to the bottom of the boom to the cleat on the lower part of the mast. This prevents the boom from riding up the mast and coming out of the opening.

The foot (bottom) of the main is a bolt rope and is feed into the slot in the top of the boom. It is then secured by a line at the end of the boom.

The luff (front) of the main sail is held to the mast using sail slugs. These are feed into the opening in the mast and pushed up past the opening. I use a "sail stop" to prevent the slugs from coming out of the opening in the mast. I also used a "sail stop" below the boom to keep it from sliding down the mast and hitting the top of the cabin when the main sail is taken down.

In order to be able to secure the sail quickly to the boom after I have dropped the sails, I installed a shock cord to replace my sail ties. I evenly spaced 4 eye straps along the port side of the boom and installed 3 hooks between them on the starboard side of the boom. I then threaded the shock cord through the eye hooks. When I drop the sails, I just get on the starboard side of the boom and pull the shock cord over the sail and secure it to the 3 hooks.

Running Rigging Dimensions
(Add at least a foot for any eye splices. [Even more if I am doing them])

Line	Length	Diameter
Main Halyard	47 feet	5/16 "
Jib Halyard	44 feet	5/16 "
Main Sheet	50 feet	3/8 "
Jib/Genoa Sheet	40 feet	3/8 "

Swivel cam cleats
When I purchased my Genoa, I was not familiar with Genoa tracks, so for simplicity, I installed two additional Swivel cam cleats on my coamings. The following picture shows you my original swivel cam cleats and the additional one I added on each side for the Genoa. The additional swivel cam cleats are 17" from the cabin on each side.

Standing Rigging

(Note: Measurements are given based on my mast [21 feet 4 inches]. They may vary depending on the length of your mast.)

	The picture to the left is one of my Spreaders (Stantion) that is used to hold the side stay away from the mast. It is a 21 inch tube which is 5/8 of an inch in diameter. In the picture you can see the boot on the end to prevent chaffing of the sails.
	In the picture to the left, where the stantion is fitted into the base on the mast, the tube is flattened for 2 and 1/2 inches on opposite sides to 1/2 of an inch diameter. This is to allow the stantion to rotate in the base on the mast.
After I removed the boot, in the picture to the right, you can see the end of the stantion where it holds the side stay. There is a 1/2 inch slot in the end of the stantion and a bolt to hold the side stay in the slot.

The picture to the left is a turnbuckle at the end of the fore stay. There is a similar one on each of the side stays.

Standing Rigging Dimensions
(Measured from end connector to turnbuckle.)

Cable	Length	Diameter
Fore Stay	17 feet	1/8 "
Side Stays	17 feet	1/8 "
Stantion (tube)	21 inches	5/8 "

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