what is a boom bail?

[Leland]

What is a boom bail and how is it utilized? Thanks.

[sailingdog]

A boom bail is something like this:



It is used to attach things to a spar generally. The bail is often attached to the boom or mast via a through bolt. The bolt often has a compression tube over it to prevent damage to the mast from overzealous tightening of the through bolt by ham-handed owners.

[lbdavis]

The above is a picture of a boom bail.

They can be used in as many ways as you can imagine, but primarily to attach main sheet systems and boom vangs to the boom

[lbdavis]

Damn you and your speedy response, Sailing Dog!!

By the way, the angle of my boom bail picture is far superior to the angle of your boom bail picture!

[denby]

Originally Posted by lbdavis

Damn you and your speedy response, Sailing Dog!!

By the way, the angle of my boom bail picture is far superior to the angle of your boom bail picture!

Dog is faster because he has 4 computers going at once. Your pic is much nicer.

[Leland]

I have two on my boom and can't figure out what the previous owner used them for. I am going to use the forward one to attach the boom vang but just not sure what the one is doing there all the way on aft part of the boom.

[lbdavis]

Originally Posted by Leland

I have two on my boom and can't figure out what the previous owner used them for. I am going to use the forward one to attach the boom vang but just not sure what the one is doing there all the way on aft part of the boom.

Where does the main sheet attach if not to this bail?

[denby]

Originally Posted by lbdavis

Where does the main sheet attach if not to this bail?

The main sheet should attach to blocks not a bail.

[Leland]

The main sheet runs from the backstay to the boom like this...

[sailingdog]

The aft boom bail is probably what was used for either the mainsheet, or less likely, a topping lift.