The operation of the new multi-purpose neutron beamline BOA (Beamline for neutron Optics and other Approaches) has started successfully in May 2011.This new beamline is a redesign of the former FUNSPIN beamline. BOA is an 18 m long instrument located at the beam channel 51 looking on the SINQ cold source. The primary polarization element (polarizing bender) of the former design was kept because research with polarized neutrons is of key interest in the neutron scattering community.