Warning: I also posted this question in rec.boats since I couldn't find
a sailboat specific newsgroup...

Newbie question: I was given an old, very small sailboat (just 8' or
9'). The hull was in a poor state but the sail and mast were in good
condition. I cleaned the hull and repainted the boat and it now is
seaworthy. Well, almost seaworthy. The people giving it away told me
that two things were missing and they could no longer find them: the
centerboard and the rudder.

I figured I could probably build these things so I agreed to take the
boat. I have yet to build a basic centerboard and rudder for it but I
also realized that the boat does not have a boom! Is it possible
that, given that it is such a small boat, it may not require one? I
cannot figure out if they simply forgot to give me the boom
(unfortunately I cannot contact them anymore), if they didn't have a
boom anymore or this type of small boat simply doesn't need one...

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.

Keep in mind that I am not trying to turn this thing into a competition
sailboat. Just want something to float around and have something to
play around with on a windy day (when it is too wavy to waterski behind
my powerboat). Cheers! Andre

If the bottom of the sail is more than 5 ft long you should have a boom.
This advice comes from books by TF Jones who desgins and builds small
sailboats.

You can look at photos of boonmless small sails on my website (see below)
under "Boats". I don't think you can have a boomless sail which extends
aft of your seating position although I'm not certain of this on the spur
of the moment. Mine have mainsheets I hold directly in my hand and to pull
them in close hauled I have to be just aft of the clew (bottom back corner
of the sail).

A sprit boom is cheap and simple. It is tied to the mast so it does not
require hardware. On my website you can see booms tied to the front of the
sail. They have some advantages which are discussed on the website.


"Melandre" ) writes:

that two things were missing and they could no longer find them: the
centerboard and the rudder.

I figured I could probably build these things so I agreed to take the

Suggest plywood, round the front edge and taper the back edge, then seal
edges with 2-3 coats of resin (polyester or epoxy). Another quick and
easy suggestion is discarded aluminum traffic signs (eg No Parking) cut to
shape. I can buy them at a scrap yard near here. The centreboard should
not be too loose in the case or it will vibrate.




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Melandre wrote:
Warning: I also posted this question in rec.boats since I couldn't find
a sailboat specific newsgroup...

Newbie question: I was given an old, very small sailboat (just 8' or
9'). The hull was in a poor state but the sail and mast were in good
condition. I cleaned the hull and repainted the boat and it now is
seaworthy. Well, almost seaworthy. The people giving it away told me
that two things were missing and they could no longer find them: the
centerboard and the rudder.

I figured I could probably build these things so I agreed to take the
boat. I have yet to build a basic centerboard and rudder for it but I
also realized that the boat does not have a boom! Is it possible
that, given that it is such a small boat, it may not require one? I
cannot figure out if they simply forgot to give me the boom
(unfortunately I cannot contact them anymore), if they didn't have a
boom anymore or this type of small boat simply doesn't need one...

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.

Keep in mind that I am not trying to turn this thing into a competition
sailboat. Just want something to float around and have something to
play around with on a windy day (when it is too wavy to waterski behind
my powerboat). Cheers! Andre

There will be as many opinions as there are sailors.

No, you do not NEED a boom. You may want one, after trying all the
other styles, and even inventing some new ones yourself. Gaffs,
sprits, and no doubt other rigs are possible, even desirable in a
tiny boat. What is best for you as a begineing sailor may also be a
matter of opinion. Many sailors think the best way to learn to sail
is to get dumped out of a dinghy often enough!

The size and location of your mast will influence the decision. If
far enough foreward, a cat rig does not use a jib. If aft, you may
want to use a main only at first, to get the feel. Adding a jib
would give more thrills and speed.

How is the flotation of your dingus, once filled with water?

you should expect to get capsized, and the boat should not sink.
You will want to be able to lower the sail before righting the boat
and climbing back inside.

Terry K

Terry Spragg ) writes:

you should expect to get capsized, and the boat should not sink.
You will want to be able to lower the sail before righting the boat
and climbing back inside.

I've never taken the sail down on a dingy to right the boat after a capsize.
People don't do it when racing.

Houwever you make a good point on rig design. A lot of masts are designed
to bend and change the shape of the sail with changes in wind speed. The
boom and stays (wires which hold up the mast) play a part in this so it
might not be a good idea to change the boom. It would depend on the sail
and rigging.



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On Wed, 15 Jun 2005 14:25:43 -0700, Melandre wrote:

Warning: I also posted this question in rec.boats since I couldn't find
a sailboat specific newsgroup...

Newbie question: I was given an old, very small sailboat (just 8' or
9'). The hull was in a poor state but the sail and mast were in good
condition. I cleaned the hull and repainted the boat and it now is
seaworthy. Well, almost seaworthy. The people giving it away told me
that two things were missing and they could no longer find them: the
centerboard and the rudder.

I figured I could probably build these things so I agreed to take the
boat. I have yet to build a basic centerboard and rudder for it but I
also realized that the boat does not have a boom! Is it possible
that, given that it is such a small boat, it may not require one? I
cannot figure out if they simply forgot to give me the boom
(unfortunately I cannot contact them anymore), if they didn't have a
boom anymore or this type of small boat simply doesn't need one...

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.

Keep in mind that I am not trying to turn this thing into a competition
sailboat. Just want something to float around and have something to
play around with on a windy day (when it is too wavy to waterski behind
my powerboat). Cheers! Andre

Some small boats don't have booms. Could you possibly take a picture which
shows the sail and hull and mast? It might help.

Making a boom for such a small boat should be easy. I would try to make it
out of the same material as the mast. Wood would probably be the cheapest
way to go.

--Mac

As others have told you, you do not NEED a boom. That said, a boom does
make life easier. Except when running before the wind, your sail should
form an airfoil, like the top of an airplane's wing. A boomless rig needs a
fairlead for the sheet in the proper place. With a boom, sail shape is
independent of the degree to which you sheet in the sail. (Don't bring it
in closer than the corner of the transom.)

A sailboat of that size probably has some 35 or 40 sq. ft. of sail. An
adequate boom would be about 1" x 1" (wood) with a yoke (jaws ) like an
enlarged sling shot to keep the forward end near the mast. The "tack" of
the sail (bottom forward corner) attaches to the boom and the boom is held
down either by its weight or by a line. Now the sheet can be attached to
any point on the boom and/or the boat and a two part mechanical advantage
will make life easier. Boomless, the point where the sheet attaches to the
boat is critical and you'd need a block on the sail's clew to gain any
advantage. The wood for the boom should have grain that runs for much of
the length before reaching the edge.

The size of the rudder and centerboard will make a big difference to the
boat's handling. It would be nice if you could get the name of the design
or some other indication that would lead to the designer's plans. (Are you
sure it's a centerboard rather than a daggerboard?)

Roger

http://home.earthlink.net/~derbyrm

"Melandre" wrote in message
oups.com...

Newbie question: I was given an old, very small sailboat (just 8' or
9'). The hull was in a poor state but the sail and mast were in good
condition. I cleaned the hull and repainted the boat and it now is
seaworthy. Well, almost seaworthy. The people giving it away told me
that two things were missing and they could no longer find them: the
centerboard and the rudder.

I figured I could probably build these things so I agreed to take the
boat. I have yet to build a basic centerboard and rudder for it but I
also realized that the boat does not have a boom! Is it possible
that, given that it is such a small boat, it may not require one? I
cannot figure out if they simply forgot to give me the boom
(unfortunately I cannot contact them anymore), if they didn't have a
boom anymore or this type of small boat simply doesn't need one...

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.

Keep in mind that I am not trying to turn this thing into a competition
sailboat. Just want something to float around and have something to
play around with on a windy day (when it is too wavy to waterski behind
my powerboat). Cheers! Andre

WOW! Glad to be getting all these feedback. Very useful. I realized
that I should have been a bit more descriptive about the boat. I'll
take a picture of it tonight and post a link to the picture for those
of you who wish to see it.

Unfortunately the mast and sail are already at my cabin while the boat
is still at my home (so only pic of the boat tonight). I think it is a
catboat design but not sure. The mast is metal (or aluminum) and is
quite long (my guess is 14 feet or more). Sail is triangular if I
recall correctly. I have not put the boat in the water yet since I am
not sure if it would float without a centreboard (I'm planning to tow
it behind my boat to the cabin). By the way, I did not know that there
was a difference between a centreboard and a daggerboard. Until
someone explains the difference, I only mean "the piece of wood that
you stick through the (near) middle of the boat" :-) I know my old
winsurfing board uses a daggerboard so perhaps I should stick to that
name for the sailboat!

I will also measure and take picture of the opening (under the boat)
for the daggerboard/centreboard (from memory it is about 1/2" X 20") as
I would like to know how far it should stick out in the water from the
hull.

Any WEB sites where I could look at daggerboard/centreboard and rudders
so that I can pick (and copy) a design that appears suitable? Thank
for everyone's help so far. Keep those suggestions/ideas coming!
Andre


Melandre wrote:
Warning: I also posted this question in rec.boats since I couldn't find
a sailboat specific newsgroup...

Newbie question: I was given an old, very small sailboat (just 8' or
9'). The hull was in a poor state but the sail and mast were in good
condition. I cleaned the hull and repainted the boat and it now is
seaworthy. Well, almost seaworthy. The people giving it away told me
that two things were missing and they could no longer find them: the
centerboard and the rudder.

I figured I could probably build these things so I agreed to take the
boat. I have yet to build a basic centerboard and rudder for it but I
also realized that the boat does not have a boom! Is it possible
that, given that it is such a small boat, it may not require one? I
cannot figure out if they simply forgot to give me the boom
(unfortunately I cannot contact them anymore), if they didn't have a
boom anymore or this type of small boat simply doesn't need one...

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.

Keep in mind that I am not trying to turn this thing into a competition
sailboat. Just want something to float around and have something to
play around with on a windy day (when it is too wavy to waterski behind
my powerboat). Cheers! Andre

"Melandre" ) writes:

... I have not put the boat in the water yet since I am
not sure if it would float without a centreboard (I'm planning to tow
it behind my boat to the cabin). By the way, I did not know that there
was a difference between a centreboard and a daggerboard. Until
someone explains the difference, I only mean "the piece of wood that
you stick through the (near) middle of the boat" :-) I know my old
winsurfing board uses a daggerboard so perhaps I should stick to that
name for the sailboat!

Centreboard swings up into the boat on a pivot. If you put the boat in the
water without the pivot water will come in through the pivot hole. The
pivot is usually a bolt that goes through the centreboard trunk. It has
rubber washers on it to seal. Look for the pivot hole in the casing at the
bottom near the front. If you stuff something into the pivot hole you
should be able to tow the boat without a centreboard in it.

A daggerboard doesn't have a pivot hole so there is no problem.

If you can't find spec for the board there is a rule of thumb which I
will look up, says one square foot of board below the water for every so
many square feet of sail.
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William R. Watt ) writes:

If you can't find spec for the board there is a rule of thumb which I
will look up, says one square foot of board below the water for every so
many square feet of sail.

one square foot for every 40-50 sq foot of sail
- source TF Jones "Boats to Go" (1996)

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A cap for the daggerboard trunk is worth the investment. Otherwise the
water can spray/splash up in an unpleasant fashion. The cap is just a Tee
shaped piece (viewed from aft) with a stub for the daggerboard and a top
piece as handle and lid.

Depending on the hull shape, a little (3" ?) daggerboard protruding from the
bottom gives the rudder something to work against. At least on the Sunfish,
no daggerboard means no steering.

Roger

http://home.earthlink.net/~derbyrm

"William R. Watt" wrote in message
...

"Melandre" ) writes:

... I have not put the boat in the water yet since I am
not sure if it would float without a centreboard (I'm
planning to tow it behind my boat to the cabin). By
the way, I did not know that there was a difference
between a centreboard and a daggerboard. Until snip

Centreboard swings up into the boat on a pivot. If you put
the boat in the water without the pivot water will come in
through the pivot hole. The pivot is usually a bolt that goes
through the centreboard trunk. It has rubber washers on it
to seal. Look for the pivot hole in the casing at the
bottom near the front. If you stuff something into the pivot
hole you should be able to tow the boat without a
centreboard in it.

A daggerboard doesn't have a pivot hole so there is no problem.

If you can't find spec for the board there is a rule of thumb which I
will look up, says one square foot of board below the water for every so
many square feet of sail.