Thanks for all your help! Sounds like slugs and shackles is the way to
go. (What do I measure to get the correct size slugs?)

"Gusto" is a 1978 boat and is in pretty good condition for her age.
We're having a ball with her! Just made a makeshift "awning" that goes
over the boom (under the loosefooted main) and is secured to the
shrouds forward and cleats sternward. I put in 2 long batten pockets
and put in pvc for stiffeners. (We live 50 miles away from the nearest
building supply/hardware store so we've turned into pretty good
improvisers) We've even had it up under sail and it works pretty
good. Nice to have a little patch of shade.

Our mainsail probably never has gotten hoisted all the way as it looks
pretty loose and sloppy near the boom. (I have put a rope topping lift
on the boom and used the downhaul as best I can). I'm hoping that the
slugs on the main will help here. We are definately NOT racers. Just
love to sail and pretend to fish (we figure if we don't catch
anything....Great! Then we don't have any fish to clean!).

Thanks for all your help!

Sandy