This boom was new in 2007, replacing the old roller-furling boom which was on the boat when we bought it. Now we have standard slab reefing with three reef points in our mainsail. A sailcover is attached to the boom, and "lazy jacks" lead up from the sailcover to control the mainsail when it is dropped. A zipper on the top of the sailcover closes to protect the sail from sunlight, which would damage the Dacron (polyester) sail cloth.