Boom Shortening:
Problem: Boom extended approx 14 inches beyond the clew of the mainsail. 
The extra length caused two problems: 
1) Hazardous to helmsman
2) Severely limited ability to install a bimini

Our boom and mast is made of spruce. Thus cutting it is a simple matter. 

Photos show a before and after picture of the boom. Unfortunately, they were 
not taken from exactly from the same angle. In addition, the temporary Bimini
was in a slightly different location. 

The procedure was quite simple. 
1) Release mainsail foot from clew outhaul.
2) Remove all hardware from aft end of boom
3) Carefully measure and mark location of planned cut. I decided to cut 11 inches off the end.
4) Stare at it for about 30 minutes! Maybe you got it wrong!
5) If all is OK, proceed with caution. 
6) Make sure the pencil mark for the proposed location is properly aligned on all four sides of boom
7) Cut through paint with sharp utility knife.
8) Using shallow "Draw saw", make a shallow cut circumscribing the boom. 
9) If the cut is correctly aligned symmetrically around the boom, and in the location you wish, 
   cut a bit deeper all around the boom with the draw saw. 
10) I then used a fresh blade in a sturdy hack saw handle to continue the cutting 
through the depth of the boom.
11) Keep the blade carefully aligned, and gradually cut in from all sides sequentially. 
Do not allow the end piece to splinter off!
12) Sand the end of the boom. 

Take the outhaul slider track and measure the new length required. 
Cut down to correct size. 
Reinstall slider outhaul, and any other hardware.  
Reconnect mainsail clew. 
Go sailing!
Oh! You will have to paint the end of the boom. I also plan to install a modified end bracket 
to move the 
topping lift  line away from the leech of the sail. 

The results have proven most satisfactory. There is no change in the sail handling 
characteristics of the boat, as there was no substantive change to the rig. 
However, the helmsman is now far less vulnerable, and I can readily install a bimini. 

regards, 
Harvey

10/15/02