Secondly, any boat that's "snapping off a tack" (never
heard the phrase) is sailing upwind I assume and wouldn't be using the
vang anyway.


I no longer believe that Sloco even races. How far off the wind do you
have to be before it's NOT a tack and is a vang ever used on that point
of sail? Of course you never heard the term as it's used by
professional racers.
Something tells me I'd beat Sloco in a race with just my main up!

RB
35s5
NY

Capt. Rob wrote:

I no longer believe that Sloco even races. How far off the wind do you
have to be before it's NOT a tack and is a vang ever used on that
point of sail? Of course you never heard the term as it's used by
professional racers.

So, what does "snap off a tack" mean? In what way is it different from "a
tack"?


--
Capt Scumbalino

So, what does "snap off a tack" mean? In what way is it different from
"a
tack"?


Snap off a tack as in "as fast as possible" so as not to lose boat
speed. Not just a racing term. It's certainly used here and when I was
sailing in FL last month.

RB
35s5
NY

Only a few important points you forgot to mention.
1) Mid-boom sheeting requires larger main sheet gear as you have less
leverage compared to end-boom sheeting.
2) The forces on the main sheet are generally higher and the boom is
far more susceptible to breakage, as the outer end of the boom is
essentially unsupported and the mid-sheet mounting weakens the boom
where it is attached.
3) Prevents the use of boom roller furling gear for the mainsail.

On 2005-12-08 07:23:02 -0500, "Capt. Rob" said:

.
For the cruiser racer, the mid-boom sheeting is the clear winner. It
clears the cockpit and is far more friendly to guests and young
children

Only a few important points you forgot to mention.
1) Mid-boom sheeting requires larger main sheet gear as you have less

leverage compared to end-boom sheeting.

Yeah, so? You add more main sheet gear.

2) The forces on the main sheet are generally higher and the boom is
far more susceptible to breakage, as the outer end of the boom is
essentially unsupported and the mid-sheet mounting weakens the boom
where it is attached.

I can't find a single instance of a boom breaking (outside of really
old boats like Neal's) from this arrangement. Like a deck stepped mast,
cable based steering system or RF sails, it can all work well when
designed properly.

3) Prevents the use of boom roller furling gear for the mainsail.

I've seen mid boom sheeting on in boom reefing mains. That said, after
sailing three boats over the last two seasons with in boom and in mast
reefing, I wouldn't want it.


RB
35s5...the greatest boat here!
NY

"Swab Rob" wrote

That said, after
sailing three miles over the last two seasons....


RB
Tribecky...built for lesbians, bi lesbians
NY

dog wrote:
Only a few important points you forgot to mention.
1) Mid-boom sheeting requires larger main sheet gear as you have less
leverage compared to end-boom sheeting.
2) The forces on the main sheet are generally higher and the boom is
far more susceptible to breakage, as the outer end of the boom is
essentially unsupported and the mid-sheet mounting weakens the boom
where it is attached.
Not normally a problem as the points where the sheeting system connects
to the boom are normally spread out ( on my boat over 2 feet)
3) Prevents the use of boom roller furling gear for the mainsail.

Lots of boat with mid boom sheeting have inside boom furling as for the
old roller reefing, who has that anymore?
On 2005-12-08 07:23:02 -0500, "Capt. Rob" said:

.
For the cruiser racer, the mid-boom sheeting is the clear winner. It
clears the cockpit and is far more friendly to guests and young
children

It seems to me that whatever system you have, provided it is properly
designed should be fine. I prefer to have mid boom because it keeps the
sheet up high at the forward end of the cockpit and out of the way of
the way. On a big boat it makes dodgers and biminis etc less
complicated. In a small boat it makes ducking the boom less traumatic.