I'm assuming you have in-mast furling, although you interchanged 'boom' with 'mast' once or twice in your post.

I'm no expert on that system as I believe it makes for a poor-sailing boat. However, I have a couple thoughts.

1. The carabiner you mention sounds like someting from the previous owner, not standard equipment. If it holds the boom in place at rest, that is fine but you are right that you need to unclip it before setting sail, if it is attached when the sail is set you will never be able to undo it.

2. You should really lose any sort of attachment between backstay and boom. A 'boom topping lift' that is adjustable will probably serve you better - you may already have one rigged or you may not. This would typically run from masthead to the end of the boom, and could be rigged like a halyard (over the second sheave beside the main halyard) or be pinned at the mast head and be adjusted along the boom. Then you would be able to have a mark (tape or sharpie) on the topping lift that corresponds with the appropriate boom height for furling/unfurling.

3. The boom is always going to flog around while setting the main sail regardless of what system you have, so get used to it. And don't hit your head!

4. If you need something to 'fix' the boom in place at the dock, rather than attaching to the backstay, a rope tied from the vang attachment on the boom, and out to something off-center like a handrail or toe-rail is a good solution to stop the boom flopping back and forth at the mooring. In fact I use a 4-part purchase much like a vang, with snap shackles both ends, for this purpose so that I can snug mine up tight. For additional stability you can also pull the traveller off to the opposite side if you want.

Blair,

I think that wit your tabernacle rig you probably have some 'unique' rigging solutions in place. Pictures would probably help all of us.

[QUOTE=blair;14491]Jason,

I think that cable coming off the back stay to hold the boom up is the difference, and both the lower aft shrouds and back stays have quick release piston pins.[/QUOTE]

You really need to get us some pictures or get a basic sailing instructon book from the library so you can use some terms we can understand so we can give better input.

You mentioned the vang so I assume you know where that is, at least if not what its for. Since you asked if vang alone is supposed to hold the boom up I have to assume you have a rigid vang since there is no way a traditional vang could be imagined holding anything up. If you do indeed have a ridgid vang, then yes, that is supposed to hold the boom up, when the sail is not performing that task. When the sail is out the vang is used to help shape the sail as desired for upwind or downwind sailing.

The mainsheet and traveller are the other controls for the mainsail that you can adjust to secure the boom while you get the sail rolled out. Cranking on the mainsheet should result in minimal flopping of the boom, but I believe you need to have the boom horizontal or even slightly high at the end to roll out the in-mast main smoothly.

IMHO, You should not have anything connected from the boom to the backstay at any time when the boat is being sailed or used on the water. If its required for stepping the mast then you should have to go below and retrieive it for that purpose. Forgetting that you have the boom attached to the back stay with the sail out could lead to disaster

Blair,

It sounds like you could benifit emmensely by taking someone out that knows our boats. You are in the fleet 6 area, I bet they are looking for new blood in their association. I bet if you contact Brad Poulos at 760-525-4341, he is the fleet Captain for fleet 6 and could probably put you in touch with several people that could show you the ropes, lines, lifts, halyards, stays and sheets on the boat and give you some comfort in using them.

My son lives in San Diego and I would love to come down myself as it has been a while since I have visited with him. He unfortunatly is fighting fires out around Shelter Valley. I am repainting my house, my wife said WE need to repaint, SHE BOUGHT THE PAINT. Of course I found some termite damage to repair and have one wall torn down to studs now, then I will replace the trim and put up new gutters and restain the decks should be done by November........2013. My business has suddenly become very busy and I have not had much boat time on my own boat. Whats a weekend?

It sounds like you are drinking out of a fire hose right now trying to understand your boat. Having someone aboard to help that knows the systems will get you to the point of enjoying your new toy much sooner and may keep you safe and in our group longer.

Steve

Blair, let me be candid about this. I am a sailing instructor, and time and again I have seen folks who try to teach themselves how to sail, and how to handle a large boat of the C36 size, and waste time and money doing it. It can work, in some cases, learning on your own, BUT...at what cost in Time, Enjoyment, Damage to the boat, and Damage to yourself???

One accidental jibe and you may have more expense than all the sailing lessons you can buy. And how soon would you like to be proficient? Two years from now? Why not sooner, like in a few weeks, or a couple of months from now?

You've got a great boat in which to learn how to sail. Hire a professional instructor - not just some other amateur sailor that may know how to sail but not know how to teach - and you will achieve a level of competency quickly, safely, and more economically.

It's your fastest, safest, and cheapest route to competency.

Blair --

I'm with the others on this board. Do you have much experience sailing, let alone in a 36' almost-yacht?

Kudos, Blair. Keep up the good work. You're learning.

I don't have a furling main, but, watching others sail who do, they usually move the traveller/boom to the portside when deploying and furling the main. Makes sense to me since the main furls in on the starboard side (off centerline) of the mast and counter-clockwise when looking down from the top of the mast.

If the main furls in the other direction, move the traveller to the starboard side. Of course I've never seen one that furls in this direction, and I have never had a sailboat that had a furling main.

Just my 2 cents worth for you.

Blair... I'm with the others on getting instruction. On the furler main however, there are a couple of items that might help you.

First, when you go to pull it out have the boom over to the port side of the boat. If you look , you'll notice that the sailwrapps around the furler counter clockwise. If the boom is straight fore and aft, tha sail is rubbing against the right side of the sail slot and this increases resistance.

Second, if the sail comes out easily by hand but not with the winch, the bearings in the boom carrriage might be binding. When this happens, the car doesn't slide aft but starts to get pulled upright and jams. I posted a fairly detailed message on this problem and solutions on my boat if you go back into past messages.

Chuck Parker

[QUOTE=blair;17431]
Still having trouble figuring out how to get boat up on a plane, but I imagine I will eventually figure it out.[/QUOTE]

Up on a plane? I usually have my boat shipped by truck.

Seriously, though, I'm not quite sure what you mean...

[quote=FlyMeAway;17433]Up on a plane? I usually have my boat shipped by truck.

Seriously, though, I'm not quite sure what you mean...[/quote]

Blair's a guy with an unusual boat, equipped with a mast that he can dip to salute the bridge during the annual club sailpast. So likely he's been working on a engine upgrade to the optional 1500HP Cummins diesel in order to do some water skiing. Lower the mast to cut the wind resistance, crank that puppy up and get 'er up on plane like a proper ski boat would.

On the other hand, Blair has a subtle but keen sense of humour and he could be pulling our legs....;)