"a425couple" wrote in message
...
I am totally new to sailing. We just bought a 9.5' Nutshell pram and got it
in the lake. It rows just fine! We are uncertain about the rigging (and do
not want to "too often" bother the seller).

The sail looks like the first picture and drawing he
http://www.jimsboats.com/15sep11.htm
or
http://www.clcboats.com/life-of-boat...-lug-rigs.html
(no fixed "gooseneck")
So, it the sail type = "lug" ?

I think we have the rigging mostly correct, but for the "boom". Should the
"boom" be secured in any way to the mast? (noting, obviously the "yard" is
connected to mast by "Halyard")
Or, should the forward end of "boom" be secured to bow of boat?
(It does have a rope.)

Or, should the boom, and thus whole sail just stay free? (or,,,, secured
only between halyard and ----'lines to control'
Great frustration, I have the book "Royce's Sailing Illustrated" but still
not easy to find the correct terms! )

Hiya,
Welcome!
I don't know this exact type of boat but generally speaking the boom will
need to be secured to the mast loosely so it cannot fly around. I don't
think the forward end of the boom should be connected to the bows but it may
be a possibility depending on the type of boat. I've never seen that before
but you'll need to find an experieced lugsailer to be sure!

It is a lugsail rig. Anything hauled up the mast is hauled by a halyard as
you rightly say.

There should be a mainsheet ( sheet = sail control rope ) which is likely to
attach near the aft end of the boom, some of them attach via a block and
pulley system to reduce the effort required to pull the mainsail in.
However, whatever works for you is not wrong!

Hope that helps

Regards
TonyB