That's perfect, Tod, thanks! One more question: In order to pop-rivet the bale, would I have to have something inside the boom against which to hammer the rivet, so that the rivet would flatten on both ends? Thanks again, Craig p.s. Yes, I sail an M17, '84 #389. ----- Original Message ----- From: <htmills@bright.net> To: ">Mboats<" <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Monday, February 10, 2003 8:52 PM Subject: Halyard Blocks, Boom Bale Hi, Craig You sail a 17, right? I'd just use the spinnaker halyard for your sock. Forestay on the lower of the two pins on the forward side of your crane (I think that's what that casting is called; someone please correct me if my nomenclature is wrong). Block on the upper one for the spinnaker halyard. Then, for the topping lift, I just put a small block on the backstay pin. I put a nice one-handed hook on one end and tied the other end to an eyestrap that was existing on the mast. The length is such that if that's all I do with the topping lift the boom hangs low but doesn't hit anything. Then there is enough slack to put it on a small cleat for fine-tuning. As for the boom bale, I've never installed one but all of them that I've seen were pop-riveted on: drill some holes (argh!) and pop-rivet away... Hope that helps, Tod ---------- I'd still like to know where to locate halyard blocks for: a. A sunbrella cover that I will hoist up to the head of the mast to cover my furled genoa. b. A topping lift. Also, I am moving my traveler to the transom: Anyone know how to add a boom bale? Thanks!