For this job you will need the following:

TOOLS		CONSUMABLES
1x Hacksaw 1x Tape measure 1x Drill 1x 3/16 drill bit 1x Paint brush 1x Philips head screwdriver		2x Nut & Bolt (3/16) 6x Thin s/s Washers (Just larger than sheave) 1x Model paints 2x Harken sheave ( part no.415 ) 1x Harken pulley (part no. ) optional 2x Boom cleats (Clam cleats) 1x Super glue

Step one - Up haul attachment

The first thing to do when you get your new boom is to replace the rope that your up-haul attaches too, with a larger diameter rope.

Step two - The rubber pad

Use super glue to attach the red rubber pad on the front of the boom end. Do this by removing the red rubber pad from the boom and cover the inner surface and the ends with super glue or Arildite. When you have done this, replace the rubber piece and let it dry.

Step three - Harness line guide

Have a look at your old boom and see where your old harness lines usually sit. Find a place between the two attachment points and measure to the front of the boom side(50cm Approx.). Use this measurement to put a line on each side of your new boom. Mark the boom with a pen and use your hacksaw to cut away the boom grip in a line write around each side of the boom.With your paint brush paint inside this line with a light color paint, This will act as a guide for you so you can make sure that your harness lines are correctly adjusted on each side of the boom when you are sailing.

Step four - Boom cleats

Now you attach two boom cleats to your new Mistral boom. You should use the blue plastic wraps not the brown.

Placement of the cleats is personal although most of the fleet have the cleats place so that the aft end of the of the plastic wrap, is approximately 5cm from in front of the join in the boom grip. If the cleats further forward then that you'll find that they'll get in your way when you gybe or pump downwind in light conditions.

At this stage you will need two lengths of 5mm rope which you will use in conjunction with the boom cleats to adjust your sail. Use the cleat wraps to anchor the rope to the boom. Do this by tying a figure eight in the end of the rope and laying it into the wrap at the bottom and slightly to the inside of the boom. Screw the wrap, including the cleat, into position.

 

Step five - rear boom end

The rear boom end is more easily adjusted by replacing the plastic pulley type item with a pair of Harken sheaves ( part no.415). For this you will need two 3/16 bolt including Teflon nuts. If you can find bolts that have a shaft with no thread for the first 12mm ( very hard to find), then you are in good shape. Full thread bolts are fine to use and are readily available. Be very careful that you do not loose any ball bearings out of the sheave (tears have been shed!). Place thin washers that are just larger than the sheave on either side of the sheave so that it runs smoothly. Also place washer on the top of the pulley cover plate to help support the system.

Step six - control lines

4-5mm rope should be used to run through the cleats

4mm Spectra or Spectra core should be used through the sail and the back end of the boom

Harken 405 pulleys should be used as turning blocks.

It is very important to have your control ropes to be very long so if you have to do many loops around the course, you will not run out of adjustment.

 

Thursday 17-Oct-2002