Hi, i have been searching for some kind of guidance in rigging the boom of an old Mistral Maui
board I have just got hold of.
I spotted a previous thread on this forum where someone with an old Windsurfer brand board found help ( www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=48721 ) with how to tie the boom to the mast.
I'm hoping an old Mistral sailor might be able to help me too.
The mast end of this boom doesn't seem to have any holes for the rope to pass through which seems weird. I guess it must just lash through the handle - but i have
tried various configurations and really cant get any kind of stable tie. There's a cleat, but the way its angled doesnt quite line up with where the rope lies if you lash through the handle.
So I think I'm missing a trick...
I'd like to figure it out and give it a go before resorting to buying a modern boom with a clamp.
Anyone out there used to have/still has one of these? Any Ideas?
Stan.
I haven't seen anything like that before, but if that's the cleat next to the mistral logo, I'd try using the mast lashing you show, with the boom tight against the mast, and parallel to it. From the mast, thru the top side of the handle, back round the mast to the lower side of the handle, back thru the handle pull as tight as possible and cleat. Then pivot boom out to right angles, with any luck that will tighten it enough.
Good luck!!!!
Best tip - buy a new boom that will have faster rigging, easier, lighter and easier to learn on (I presume you're a learner, as otherwise you would have invested in a decent boom).
Sorry to be the bringer of bad news, but for a small cost you will enjoy your sailing alot more, trust me
You can get great aluminium booms (with great features) for $100-$150
from your local store (your profile fails to give me further info to help you out here) or online, good service at http://www.windsurfingsales.com.au/products/booms/
Thanks 'decrepit' I hadnt tried laying the boom right against the mast and levering down -
that does seem to give a tighter grip and wedges the rope into the cleat. It seems rather minimal but it does work! So thanks for that!
'Dism' thanks for your advice too. That was always going to be be plan'B'.
I used to sail a Windsurfer in the early 80's - I saw this big old board and its kit on ebay and got all nostalgic.
If I could have found an original Windsurfer I would have snapped it up -
Ah the good old days ....the Mistral seemed
like a good stand in.
Stan
Stan - glad your sailing that gear for nostalgic reasons, I said that because i'd hate to see another newie (like me till recently) start on harder-to-learn gear.
But as you choose the gear with that intent, good luck
Btw, Boards forum has a few tips on rigging tie-on-booms
Dism, I guess some of us old guys are guttons for punishment.
I cant find those 'tips on rigging tie-on-booms' - you couldn't post a link could you?
Stan.
Yes do the right angle thing just like decrepit said, you can get it so tight that it is possible to crush the mast.
So with the boom sitting same direction to the mast I would thread the rope through that little hole, around the mast (possibly twice) then back through the same hole and tie it off. If you've done all that tight, when you pull the boom out to a right angle it should pull super tight. Note: if you have to really force it to right angles you may break something, just loosen the ropes. Just make sure your rope won't stretch at all or it will loosen during sailing. It looks pretty similiar to what my brothers and I used to use in the 80's.
Hope this helps.
That takes me back..I used to have a Mistral Maui..
I forgot about the boom attachment.I suppose in those days that was the norm..What they are saying sounds right..Ive still got a small custommade boom from that era that I use for my 3.3m sail & it works similarly.
Hi, Stan,
As a suggestion, you'd be better to buy a new or 2nd-hand boom that features a modern "quick connect" front end. If you go new, get the salesman to attach it to the mast whilst you are in the shop.
Modern booms can be fitted in considerably less time than your type and do not have the propensity for mast crushing (if over-tightened) or mast slippage (if under-tightened). They also reduce "point pressure" on the mast, by having a full-floating or semi-floating front end design, which allows the boom to be at an angle (usually downwards) to the mast, thereby reducing stress in the mast.
As a suggestion, you might consider the Neil Pryde X3 range, but really, anything with a Q.C. front end will do the trick.
Should have suggested this earlier today, but enjoyed tracking the links that others provided anyway (thanks to the others), which brought back memories.
Hope this helps,
Regards,
WindmanV
Thanks for the further advice everyone.
It works both ways - through the handle and through the hole.
I also assumed the hole was for the uphaul (which i still think it is - the uphaul tied to the mast is pretty messy).
The rope through the hole looks more secure but actually it seems to tighten less when you lever the boom back down into position.
Going through the boom handle sort of triangulates the points of contact and it seems a little steadier.
Thanks again for everyones input,
Stan.
Looks pretty good to me!! Worth keeping these posts and pictures because I've seen people asking the same question. You clearly understood the physics behind it, but a newbie may find a verbal description confusing.
Enjoy your sailing.
