Oh Cripe Neal & Gilly,

You're defending something that is only showing your lack of
understanding of sail trim. Completely!

Any sailor, worth his salt know damn well a bent main boom has nothing
to do with with proper sail trim. Cripes;--- haven't either of you ever
seen a "Wishbone" rig? What could be more bent than that?
Any sailor that have ever trimmed a main for light air, will reduce the
weight of the sail if he has a light air main but if he does or doesn't
he bags the main by using the "Topping Lift" Even is the boom is loaded
with pipe!!

Now, let's get to the problem of weight in the boom. ( A lesson for the
ignorant) Why isn't the Wishbone Rig more popular? Very simple. It has
TWO BOOMS! Why isn't a boom repaired with pipe good? Again, very simple.
Like two booms it's to heavy. That is the reason boom manufacturers are
always trying to lighten Booms. Aluminum, tapering, Carbonfibre etc.

Why? Again very simple. To lighten the weight that goes over the side of
the boat!!! Why? Simple! It adds to heeling. Why is this a problem?
Again simple. Every degree of heel reduces the height of to sail. Both
the Main and the Jib, Again, anybody but the ignorant knows this will
slow the vessel. The short rig on Neal's boat can't afford to much loss
of drive. It is slow enough as is. Racing sailors put crew on the rail
to counter healing. A singlehander has to make sail adjustments, like
adding twist to reduce heeling force aloft.

What adjustment can be made to overcome the weight of pipe, plus the
length of leverage of the boom, plus the height aloft? There is none!!!

Lesson over, and "I'LL DRINK TO THAT!"




http://community.webtv.net/tassail/ThomsPage