Posted by Michel on 2/9/2009, 0:13:44

Any of you have tried it on a "regular" small boat? I was looking at pictures of Drascombe Luggers and I started wondering if any boats will sail well without a boom.

 Post a Response

Posted by morgan on 2/23/2009, 4:51:51, in reply to "Boomless main"

I would say it depends on the type of boat u have and the sailing conditions...sounds feasinle in certain situations if you ask me.

 Post a Response

Posted by Curtis on 2/23/2009, 12:51:57, in reply to "Boomless main"

I built a sailing rig for a canoe which had a boomless main at first, using a windsurfer sail. The trick is to get the sheet to apply the right amount of tension in the right direction to the clew of the sail to maintain a good shape. It can work moderately well with a traveller. My canoe didn't have a traveller, so the end result was I could get good sail shape when sheeted in tight, but not so good off the wind. I eventually made a curved sprit boom out of lightweight PVC pipe (bent over the BBQ). That boom plus some sheet tension resulted in very good off-wind performance. With a jib, I could make the canoe plane.

 Post a Response

Posted by Michel on 2/23/2009, 15:34:02, in reply to "Re: Boomless main"

I have a traveller on my boat. I figure it will help to some degree when going downwind. I will give it a good try just for the fun of it. We never know! To me, it is like having two jibs on a boat. No gibes to think about! Thanks for the answers. I will let you know....If winter can end some day!

 Post a Response

Posted by Scott Widmier on 3/1/2009, 18:15:53, in reply to "Re: Boomless main"

I have a boomless sprit mainsail on a little 12' dory I built. A simple rope traveller didn't work well so Jim Stumpf recommended thumb cleats on either side of the boat. You simply flick the mainsheet over the leward cleat and get good sheeting angle. The biggest problem I have with a boomless mainsail is the added tension on the mainsheet. Not only are you having to hold the angle of the sail but you are also having to stretch the sail out even when the wind wants to make it bag. Think of the tension you add on your boomed sail with the outhaul and add that to the normal pull you feel when sailing your boat. I am now going to add a simple boom to my boat using a hook and loop arrangement for the gooseneck. That way I can easily remove it to brail up the mainsail.

 Post a Response

Posted by Michel on 3/2/2009, 11:42:54, in reply to "Re: Boomless main"

Thanks Scott. This makes a lot of sense. I already feel that tension when I pull on the outhaul. I already had my main loosefooted for a couple of seasons. It is harder indeed. So I can imagine without any boom at all.

 Post a Response

Posted by Phil McLean on 7/28/2009, 11:48:45, in reply to "Re: Boomless main"

I've sailed my Norseboat with and without a boom, and really like having no boom to fuss with when setting up, tacking, and with kids on board. On the other hand, offwind performance is reduced because the main acts as a shock absorber, and does not retain good airflow properties. The norseboat is advantaged for boomless sailing because it has a gaff boom and full-battened main. I choose to sail with a boom, but might look into a significantly stiffer lowest batten.

 Post a Response