barefoot boom

[DOUG REX]

i have another question, i want to get a boom for the boat, i have never skied on a boom i learned on long line. But now time to teach the kids and brush up my skills. Question is i see on you-tube booms on both port and starboard side, i have no idea any suggestions.   1982 barefoot skier

[Midskier]

Doug - I'm back in town - give me a shout and I'll walk you through it

Dan T

[Midskier]

for those that also have the same question here comes some more info

port (Passenger) and starboard (Driver) side boom placement

is there a specific reason a boom is placed on either the passenger side or drivers side ? YES - and well no

a few pros and cons:

that's how the previous owner had it installed
that's how my friend installed it
That's how I installed it on the last XX boats I've owned

but WHY ?

passenger side - typically most common:

1- because that's how everyone else installs it
2- easiest for passengers to take pics of the skier on the boom
3- easiest for the instructor to shout to the skier (provided instructor is not the driver)
4- unobstructed path from pylon to gunnel - some boats the drivers seat is in the way
5- typical 1:1 direct drive naturally pull starboard  so driving with the boom on port requires slightly less correction
6- counter balancing the the skier and boom weight is easier

Drivers side - preferred by most footers / footer drivers / footer instructors

1 - allows driver to have his eyes on the skier @ all times, even when picking up a downed skier
2- if driver is the instructor - he doesn't have to shout as loud
3- some starts (back deep) require specific throttle @ specific time which is easier to do when boom is on drivers side


boat driving with a boom installed and skier in tow is really a different animal and the boat will react differently still depending on which side it is installed - consider a few of the points above (and a few more Eddie might add   b4 you install your boom

my preferred boom rig
Barefoot International straight boom (unless long windshield wings require a contour boom, or if installing drivers side and drivers seat is in the way)
BI boom height adjuster
BI boom extension
tie down strap from boom gunnel pad to rear transom eye


Dan T

[RonT]

DAN FORGOT THE WEIGHT OF THE DRIVER IN HIS THEORY.  Heavy drivers (Dan & I) plus the boom on the drivers side makes for a loop-sided boat. Plus I would never recommend the driver watching the skier at all times, he/she should be driving the boat

[backfoot100]

for those that also have the same question here comes some more info

port (Passenger) and starboard (Driver) side boom placement

is there a specific reason a boom is placed on either the passenger side or drivers side ? YES - and well no

a few pros and cons:

that's how the previous owner had it installed
that's how my friend installed it
That's how I installed it on the last XX boats I've owned

but WHY ?

passenger side - typically most common:

1- because that's how everyone else installs it
2- easiest for passengers to take pics of the skier on the boom
3- easiest for the instructor to shout to the skier (provided instructor is not the driver)
4- unobstructed path from pylon to gunnel - some boats the drivers seat is in the way
5- typical 1:1 direct drive naturally pull starboard  so driving with the boom on port requires slightly less correction
5B- Eddie edit: Excellent point but even more important is which way does the boat back up?? The skier will constantly pull the boom backwards while sitting in the water catching his breath or getting instruction from the driver between runs. This will pull your bow off your intended ski line that you want to take down the lake. Your choice is either hitting reverse to pull the bow back in line or you have to make a big circle in forward around the skier. If you make the circle, I guaranty that when you come around that the skier will pull you off course again...and again...and again. Hitting reverse is so much easier if that's the way your boat naturally backs up.
6- counter balancing the the skier and boom weight is easier
7- Eddie edit: MUCH easier to bang your knees/ankles on the boom because you constantly have to step over that damn thing.

Drivers side - preferred by most footers / footer drivers / footer instructors

1 - allows driver to have his eyes on the skier @ all times, even when picking up a downed skier
2- if driver is the instructor - he doesn't have to shout as loud
3- some starts (back deep) require specific throttle @ specific time which is easier to do when boom is on drivers side
4- Eddie edit: See step 5B above. Much preferred on drivers side because that's the way our boats back up.  It's so much easier to drive that way and you will give your skier the best water and run possible.


boat driving with a boom installed and skier in tow is really a different animal and the boat will react differently still depending on which side it is installed - consider a few of the points above (and a few more Eddie might add   b4 you install your boom

my preferred boom rig
Barefoot International straight boom (unless long windshield wings require a contour boom, or if installing drivers side and drivers seat is in the way)
BI boom height adjuster
BI boom extension
tie down strap from boom gunnel pad to rear transom eye


Dan T

[DOUG REX]

Thanks guys for the info on boom placement. Your input is so helpful. Dan I will call you, I am ready to purchase a boom. Ice should be gone another week or so. boat should be in water about first of may