Need more info to answer that one...

Posted By: Sam Hunter, '93 Mac26S, Atlanta & Pensacola
Date: 5/9/09 10:47p.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

In Response To: I couldn't.... (link) (pic) (Sumner -- Mac 26S -- Blanding, UT)

Many of us have added biminis. Most of us have raised the boom 2-3 inches in order to do this, since the "factory-issue" boom height makes for a pretty low bimini. It doesn't take long to raise the gooseneck on the mast, just drill out some rivits, drill some new holes, re-do the rivits at the new height. I would not suggest raising the gooseneck more than 2-3 inches as it will raise the height of the sail (the height of the CE [center of effort] which will increase the heeling moment - the tendency of the wind to heel the boat). On most boats there is plenty of spare "room" at the top of the mast to raise the whole sail a couple - three inches. As to using the topping lift to hold the boom higher... That will work in lighter winds, without too much of a problem. The sail will have a baggier shape and likely will luff (flap around, sometimes noisily) a good bit. However, some rather smart sailing wag once asked, "Just how bad does a sail have to be to fail to propel a boat at all?" As a simple expedient measure, just raising the boom via a topping lift will work and won't present any real problems. I would NOT use the topping lift to raise a reefed boom, just fold up the bimini in those conditions if the height is not right. Finally, IIRC, when I bought my bimini, I cut about 2" off the height of the bimini, raised the gooseneck on the mast by 2", and everything fit fine.