put the boom in its sailing position, so the other end is pointing away from the mast - now swing that other end up so that the boom is now alongside the mast. Thread the rope around the mast and up through one of the holes, and then down another hole, around the mast and out of another hole. Have a bit of tension on it, not too much, and tie it off any way you can. Now go back to the other end of the boom and swing it back to its sailing position - you'll feel the join tensioning up as you swing it down. Experiment a bit and you'll get it right and be on the water - enjoy!

Ah yes Decrepit, I bow to greater memory recall - many brain cells have been destroyed since I last rigged one of them. - what you say sounds right. Ah, the good old days, I remember dreaming of owning a clamp on boom.

And i thought i was the only one left with one of these intact

Brilliant thanks Easty and Decrepit. I will need to re-read and digest your posts a few hundred times so the advice sinks in.
What is a "clamp on head to the arms" bender? Is that something I can use whilst still using the boom I have (ie no need to buy another boom)?
What the hell is a clew? Pardon my ignorance, am new to all this (should probably google this to appear less dumb).
Thanks again everyone.

Bender said...

Dont bother with the tie on boom. I'm sure you could retro fit a a modern clamp on head to the arms. Should be able to pick one up for under $50.The older bolt on ones would do. Clamp on booms are soom much better.

Yes this is true, or you could buy a used boom pretty cheap, but when I got back into windsurfing 8 years ago I bought an old board with the same boom as Haydos has, and I couldn't remember exactly how to connect it, so did something like in my first post and it worked pretty well - I used it happily and effectively for a couple of years before I tried some modern gear and saw the light. They are not the best, but if they get you on the water and having fun then by all means use it. But if you have the funds for a more modern set-up, don't hesitate - you'll enjoy your sailing so much more.

Interesting stuff, thanks again. I might try the set up I have for a while and then see if I can pick up a second hand clamp on boom later. If I did get a new (second hand) boom with clamp I would need to ensure it was the same length as the one I was replacing right, in order for it to fit the sail? Ie the current boom is 265cm so a replacement would need to be around the same length wouldnt it?
Really appreciate your assistance everyone.

Rowdy Rosey said...

And i thought i was the only one left with one of these intact

Yes Rosey but does yours have the rope universal joint as well!

Hey Haydos, yes a clamp-on is better, but it's fun to screw around these old bits in lesser winds. I still use those planks a lot in 14- knots, say. Good for general shape.

Anyhow, here's my 2 bits on the clamp thing.

- yes for aligning the boom against the mast, but definitely towards the top end of the mast. Reason is that your weight on the boom whilst you sail will compress said boom more, and not less, against the mast. It stays stronger this way.

- at least 2 rope turns around the mast. If you use an old 1-piece fiber masts, more prone to breaking if only 1 turn.

- WARNING: too much pressure as you lower the boom, and you snap the mast. Pressure is humongous there for that old equipment. I put the rig up, then lower the boom slowly as I watch the pressure point. Typically the boom stop by itself about a foot too high from the clew. From there, force it with clew rope, should be about right. Too high and you need to loosen by about 1/4" and retry.

- WARNING 2: you'd could use one of those old metal tube at the boom-mast point. You can still find those at the back of old shops - they'll give it to you. Or else, do plaster the mast there. Then no chance of break the mast.

- use the right rope. Me sailing courses tells me there are 3 kinda ropes, one of which don't stretch (can't remember the name). Use a waxed rope too.

- yes, clamps are better, but do you want to spend $100, which is the value of an entire old boards on Craigslist ?? Do sail old gear, or buy new one - that's my take.

Have fun !

^^Sounds like a good idea, just bung a bit of plastic pipe onto the mast and let the boom rest on it.
Tops stuff here people thanks for ya help!

pierrec45 said...

Haydos said...

^^Sounds like a good idea, just bung a bit of plastic pipe onto the mast and let the boom rest on it.
Tops stuff here people thanks for ya help!

Yeah, sounds good indeed. Under my metal tube, and perhaps your PVC, I put one roll of duct tape. Idea is that the mast doesn't get scratches through friction. Those blue masts are really fragile.

Another good tip, thanks.
Yes these blue masts are like a friggin' flagpole aren't they. Long and skinny.