tom: use a sail slug stop to keep the gooseneck/boom from 'falling on the deck'. you 'have it right' for how the ring is used when the main is raised. david scobie M15 #288, not yet named Tom Jenkins <tjenk@gte.net> wrote: I have been looking over the rigging on my recently purchased 2004 M17 in anticipation of the first mast raising, and I notice that the boom is attached to the mast with a sliding gooseneck rather than a fixed mast bracket. The gooseneck has a ring on the bottom with two or three feet of tagline attached. I seems most logical to position it just below the entry slot with the line to a mast cleat pulling down, and the tension of the main halyard on the boltrope keeping it up. However, I envision the boom sliding to the deck when the main is lowered. I would be most grateful if someone out there could tell me how this should really be done. ... Thanks a bunch, Tom Jenkins Scintilla, M17 #626 --------------------------------- Looking for earth-friendly autos? Browse Top Cars by "Green Rating" at Yahoo! Autos' Green Center.