Melandre wrote:
Newbie question: I was given an old, very small sailboat...
... (snip for brevity) ...
... the boat does not have a boom! Is it possible
that, given that it is such a small boat, it may not require one?

Yes, it's possible. Some sailboats, even big ones, don't have booms.



If it does require one, how difficult would it be to make a simple one
and what material (wood, metal, etc.) would be most appropriate.

Personally, I'd go with aluminum but wood may be simpler if you can find
a good grade of light, straight, clear grained lumber (spruce is ideal).

You don't describe the geometry of the sail, or the rigging. Is the sail
triangular or four sided? If the sail is hoisted on the mast without a
boom, how is the sheet rigged? What happens when you pull it in tight?

Fresh Breezes- Doug King