MERLIN ROCKET FORUM

Topic : How to cut a notch in a carbon boom

Silly question I know but I want to cut a couple of notches in end of my brand new carbon boom to drop the ends of the pole take away elastic into, after it has been threaded through the mainsail clew.  I don't want to trash the boom, is there anything I should be wary of?  I'm thinking - drill a hole then use a fine blade hacksaw at the moment!


Posted: 09/03/2010 18:40:50
By: DaveC
And a very fine file to smooth the edges (or fine wet/dry).

IIRC Andy's boat at the Dinghy Exhibition had the elastic tied in a knot after passing through the clew - no additional notches needed, and it also provides a "pull" against the outhaul.
I'm about to fit out a carbon boom, so I thought that I'd look at the details of the boats first.

HTH

Colin


Posted: 09/03/2010 19:11:50
By: Colin
Isn't there something else you can tie the elastics on to? Part of the clew outhaul system, or the velcro clew band?


Posted: 09/03/2010 23:34:53
By: Mags
Hi,

Indeed - a number of the carbon booms have an eye on the top before the clew fitting.

Mags - can I send you a couple of photos for the rigging guide?

Colin


Posted: 10/03/2010 08:22:10
By: Colin
please do


Posted: 10/03/2010 10:00:20
By: Mags
I had this discussion looking at the 2 boats at the show.  If you don't want to drill holes in the boom then just tie the elastics to the cringle on the mainsail clew.  However I am not fussed about holes drilled right at the end of the boom as there is no appreciable load there.  I have shock cord threaded through holes and stopper knotted, I would worry about it coming out of a slot and in any event it is the other (mast) end that I have a hook on to attach to a short loop of string on the mast above the bracket.  Only down side is getting the poles off the boom but I don't do that very often.


Posted: 10/03/2010 11:23:53
By: Andrew M
Hi Andrew,

Sorry i missed the discussion at the stand.

The idea of cutting a couple of slots was from Alan Jackson (Chipstow masts) - I was asking his advice on how to rig twin pole elastic - and he also suggested the "tie it to the cringle" method.

However, drilling hole (smoothing the edges - I' use my dremel) is another way of doing it.
I'd suggest using masking tape on the top surface to write on (exact location) and it also reduces the "skid" of the drill start-up

Colin


Posted: 10/03/2010 12:20:22
By: Colin
Here are Colins photos:

http://www.merlinrocket.co.uk/gallery/default.asp?folder=gallery/rigging_guide/spinny_pole

Posted: 12/03/2010 15:13:46
By: Mags
Colin - sorry, the elastic is the end of the pole retraction string. The black loop around the boom is only a loop for tidying away the poles for travel.


Posted: 14/03/2010 20:00:38
By: Andy Hay - Champs Chappie

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