BF Boom Gunnel protection?

I use a throw cushion... Ive seen too many boats with spidercracked gunnels for me to trust the rubber "gunnel saver" alone, especially if it doesnt sit flat on the gunnel (mine never does).

Ive seen some people use trailer guide pads as well, but those arent super thick.

Mike, I have the gunnel saver, but as you and Tim noted, it really doesn't do much. I throw a seat cushion (throwable PFD) between the boom and gunnel as well.

I am a bit of an odd duck, I hang mine out the starboard side, it is tight up against the drivers seat. Looking for a good picture.

ARG I love that boat! hmmm...hope our tower doesn't get in the way, anyone else got pics?

bahaha He had a tower boom there...after doing some research on them I just didn't think it'd be the best fit for us.

Is your boom a contour Steve?

Yes it is a contour boom. One other thought, actually a couple... You won't have any problem working in the boom (on either side of the boat) with the tower. The issue is going to be the chine spray. It really gets you when you are working on starts, once your up it lands just behind you on a 6 foot rope.

For footing with the standard contour boom, I put two fat sac cubes opposite side stern. This helps to reduce the chine spray. I purchased a boom extension at the end of the year but did not get to use it. I expect that is going to make a big difference. Mike (Seipel) will tell you to use two.

I have 1 extension and made a huge change, 2 would be best I guess but probably would make steering the boat a little harder...
don´t know if the cable lenght allows for 2 extension...

mdvalant wrote: Hey all, We were up at the Wisconsin Water Ski Fed/Expo this weekend and Mike Seipel was there selling all his factory second stuff. My friend got a 2 piece stainless fly high for $200 and we got a BI contour boom for $250. Couldn't really pass that deal up. What do you guys use to protect the gunnel? I know the booms come with that rubber piece but never really trusted that. I'm looking for something a little more cleaner than simply adding a throw cushion under the bar but maybe that's the only/best way to go. Thought about those step pads some of the newer boats have but didn't know how that'd look either. Thoughts?

Never had a problem with the BI boom protector. If people use the boom incorrectly that is more of a problem.

We just use the built-in rubber protector thing on the BI boom FWIW. Gunwale seems very solid on the TSC1.

mdvalant wrote: I think this pic I just found shows that it'll be good to go on our boat with the tower. I know this is a Ski vs the Sport but both are pretty similar when it comes to what I'm worried about.

I think that is a double contour.

mdvalant wrote: How bout this folks, will our FCT get in the way of the boom? Where does yours sit Steve?

No, will not get in way.

GlassSeeker wrote: If you are still worried about spider cracks take a piece of 2x6 cut to length with a notch on top, carpet it or not, set the boom on it and the boom will be braced to the floor won't even touch the gunnel.

Andy has a good idea there. Several people have done just that. I think Kapla rig something up like that on his.

Depending on the boom/windshield/tower configuration on any given boat, mounting a universal contour boom forwards is usually an option. Most (but not all) universal contours have square bosses, allowing it to go forward or rearward for both sides of the boat.

The boom posted above does not appear to be a BI, but clarification on their terms:

universal contour = bend down AND forward (or rearward). (This is the most common style and is often referred to as just a "contour")

straight contour = bend down only. This style is not very common, as most of the MC's and other tourney boats with the tapered pylons that required the downward bend, also had swept back windshields that required the bend towards the rear.

Mike, just because Ryan's 206 does not have problems with the tower interfering with the boom, doesnt mean that you wont encounter an issue on your Sport. 2 different boats with potentially different pylon, tower and windshield geometry. You may actually have to look at your own boat to determine if you'll have an issue!

Im not crazy about putting a 2x6 boom support on the floor... with the moment a barefooter could potentially put on the boom, youre talking about a pretty serious amount of downward force, on a pretty small area. I could see damaging the fiberglass floor. Its not pretty, but I think I'll keep my gunnel cushion!

No need to wait til spring, Mike- all you need is access to the boat and a tape measure! Heck, you could probably eyeball it.

Those descriptions are good, but the pictures are useless- they used the same pic for both booms (its a universal contour- note the angle of the clamp... a "straight contour" would sit flat on the ground).

I dug up this pic. I have a straight boom on my boat, and it is angled back slightly. I did install the tower myself, but the picture should give you an idea for your tower/boom.