To All You Sailmakers and Riggers Out There !

[Southbound]

OK... I recently picked up a Cascade 29'. Built in Portland, OR by Yacht Constructors. the boat is great, but as I do with everything I own, I just gotta change stuff!

Currently, the boom hits me right about eye level, so I'm either ducking to see under or up on toes to see over. I'd like to raise the boom about 9" to a foot.
I realize that the aspect will mover higher, but the boat had an extra 500 pounds added to the keel weight when built, so I'm not as worried about that.

The question is (hopefully not stupid) whether to cut the main down (and lose power) or is it possible to fabricate a taller mast step (deck stepped) and add links to the shrouds/stays? Wouldn't that leave the same amount of power and raise the C of E (compensated by the heavier than designed keel).

Looking for the best compromise.

Thanks,

Southbound...eventually...

[sabray]

lower your eyes? My boat leans tword having weather helm I wouldn't worry about it. Sail the boat a bit and get the feal for the balance before you go chopping. Check out what other owners have done and did it work. Realize though that I did this and it no longer konks me is great but may not express the loss or gain in balance. Go sailing before you get to redecorating learn to duck.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha,
The Cascade 29 is a great boat. You've made a good choice. You could modify your mast step to provide the feature of lowering and raising the mast to get under bridges, etc.. I've seen then with tall stainless sides and a pin that the mast is secured to the mast step with. A bit of modification to the base of the mast needs to be done so that it will take the added localized pressure at the pin instead of sitting flat on the base. Then you could link your shrouds and stays and replace them with longer wire the next time you need to.
I, for one, would not mess with it until you've had about six months of sailing experience aboard her.
The other option would be to cut about 9" off the foot of the sail or maybe less if your main doesn't go quite all the way up your mast currently.
Kind regards,

[Ex-Calif]

I personally wouldn't cobble together a 12 inch step and attach "links" to the shrouds. Complexity adds failure points. I am sure it could be done but if I couldn't live with the boom where it is I would consider in order of complexity/cost

- Raise the boom & cut the sail
- Replace the mast with a taller rig
- Get a different boat
- Build a step and replace the standing rigging to match

[Southbound]

Thanks, one and all,

Pretty much as I figured. I'll finish out this season and worry about it another time.