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Joe,
<BR> Well, in my experience with a boom gallows it was
only used to secure the boom with the sail down. VERY useful in rough weather
or when rolling around in a swell but no wind. Mine had, if I recall correctly,
angled pieces that ran aft from the main tubes, a lot like the old fashioned
roll bars on race cars (like mine). It was not really in the way at all,
though probably would conflict with the awning hoop I have on <I>Brigadoon
II.</I> I found it very nice to have. It was, of course, below the
travel of the boom when sailing and I never had the boom hit the gallows.
I don't think I'd want an adjustable version that might not be totally
secure. These things have to be rigid. People lean on them, grab them in
a seaway, etc. I recall a couple of major thunderstorms off Annapolis -
70 knots for five minutes - and it was very good to have the aft end of
the boom well-secured. This was on a schooner and it was not really possible
to have a gallows for the forward boom which was always harder to secure.
She was a gaff rigger so a topping lift was not an option.
<BR>
- Gordon White A-275</HTML>