New 16 owner with boom/mast ?

[scsvgoose]

I just bought a 1981 16', love the boat so far.  I did face a little frustration today while trying to get her rigged and ready for the first time.  The previous owner said the boom was able to maintain a fixed position even with the main sail down or off.  Well after I got the mast up I could find no way besides the boom lift at the end of the boom to hold the mast up. Then of course the other end just slies down the track. There seems to be no way to fix boom to the mast besides of course the gooseneck. 
I saw some references on this site to mast slide stops, 1/4 sail stops - basically something that goes in the track to stop the boom.  Sounds cool but why don't I have one already did it just get lost?  Thanks for the help I'm hoping if this is the problem that my not so local west marine might have it. 

[ChuckD]

scsvgoose,
I bought 2 of these...
and have loved life ever since.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LAHBEWU/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_12?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATRQ56T3H9TM5

Until they arrive...
I used a couple bungee cords with balls. Sub-optimal, but did the trick.

Keep us posted!
Chuck

[scsvgoose]

ChuckD, thanks man that's what I was thinking I might have to get after reading through some posts.  The link with pic is much appreciated though bc I don't think they would even have that at my west marine. So until they arrive I will try the bungee cord like you said, I shoulda thought of that. 

Thanks for the help, I was on another sailing forum for my first boat, an AMF Puffer, and got no responses to my questions at the time. Bummer:( 

[Yamaha33410]

scsvgoose,
I bought 2 of these...
and have loved life ever since.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LAHBEWU/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_12?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATRQ56T3H9TM5

Until they arrive...
I used a couple bungee cords with balls. Sub-optimal, but did the trick.

Keep us posted!
Chuck

So you put one above and below the gooseneck in the track on the mast? do you also leave them in there when the sail is up or just when its down to support the boom

[ChuckD]

Yamaha33410,
Both sail stops go above the boom...
. One below the mast groove gate prevents the boom from sliding out of the gate.
. One above the mast groove gate prevents the sail slugs from sliding out the gate.

Note: When I use the roller reefing feature, I:
1) Remove the upper stop.
2) Release tension on the main halyard and slide 2-3 sail slugs out of the gate.
3) Replace the upper stop.
4) Release the mainsheet, then rotate the boom until the sail is wrapped tightly.
5) Finally, re-tension the main halyard.

Hope this helps! Picture attached - the upper stop is clear. The lower stop is kindof masked by the boom.
Chuck

[mikew]

Hello, another way I support the boom without main sail raised is to use the downhaul line
( short  line attached to the bottom of the gooseneck) and go UP with this line and go around top of left or right halyard cleat on mast and tie off. After main is raised I run this line to the down haul cleat under gooseneck to tension  luff of sail.
The other end of boom is supported with the topping lift line. ( 1/8" line knotted in small hole in top of  mast casting to end of boom and tied off. Slack line after mainsail is raised.

Mike

[Bristol14]

West Marine stocks sail stops at my local store, but they're readily available on-line. I carry a couple of extra in my toolbox as they loosen up and drop during the towing process or I drop them overboard.