Boom strap for loose foot mainsail?

[PalmettoSailor]

I have a loose footed main combined with a Mack Pack sailbag/Lazy jacks. The design of the sailbag and the sail complicate installing and removing the sail as there is (was) a single slug sewn on the clew of the sail which has to go in the boom ahead of the slugs on the sailbag. This means the sail and bag have to go on as a single unit. I cut the slug off to speed removing the sail for this winter season knowing I'd either find another solution or I'd pay to have it sewn back on if I was unsuccessful.

I looked in to a "slugcar" that would remain on the boom and attach to the clew with a clevis pin and found a suitable part but its over $100 which is rather rediculous for a glorified sail slug.

I asked my sailmaker if he could suggest a less expensive solution and he recommended a strap to go around the boom. He says they are common on big racing boats but not too common on crusiers like mine. The advantage is this solution would only be about $20.

Anybody have a reason not to try the boomstrap solution or know a source for a slugcar besides Rig-Rite?

[Faster]

The boom strap is the only way to go... completely simplifies things and costs little. The only issue may be protruding fittings on the boom that might inhibit sliding the strap with outhaul adjustments, but even your reefing hardware should be forward of the strap.

[PalmettoSailor]

Originally Posted by Faster

The boom strap is the only way to go... completely simplifies things and costs little. The only issue may be protruding fittings on the boom that might inhibit sliding the strap with outhaul adjustments, but even your reefing hardware should be forward of the strap.

Good point. I think you are correct that the movable cheek blocks (and even the track) for the reef lines are forward of the area where the strap would go around the boom.

I'll make sure when I do the measurements for my sailmaker.

I'm highly inclined to give it a try since I tend to trust my sailmaker and the solution he's offering is a factor of 10 less expensive than my original idea.

I'll probably have him make two so if one were to fail, I wouldn't be SOL.

[Faster]

Here's an image in case you haven't seen one....

Simplicity itself..

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by midlifesailor

I'll probably have him make two so if one were to fail, I wouldn't be SOL.

That will also make a a good boom strap when you reef.

[PalmettoSailor]

Originally Posted by Faster

Here's an image in case you haven't seen one....

Simplicity itself..

So is yours fastened with velcro? That was one of the options discussed the other would be sewn loops attached via a shackle to the clew and outhaul.

[Faster]

Double wrap velcro works great... no hardware.. simply looped through the clew cringle/ring.

btw that's not mine, but it's similar..