Cutting my boom back?
 

I have a 13' sail boat (starwing). The boom is 6" longer than it has to be.
Is there any reason not to cut it back? Sure, 6" inches isn't all that
much, but I figure it would be better shorter.

The only drawback I can think of is that I could not use a sail longer than
the original, but figure the odds of ever having to do that is slim. (the
sails are in better condition than the hull.)

So, should I cut the boom down, or is it being destructive?

John,

The extra length might be there to allow the foot tackle (outhaul) room
to work and a place to put a topping lift.

Is that 6" (no gender jokes please) causing you some difficulty?

I can't imaging a builder giving away 6' of anything.

Matt Colie - a Perpetual Sailor


John Smith wrote:
I have a 13' sail boat (starwing). The boom is 6" longer than it has to be.
Is there any reason not to cut it back? Sure, 6" inches isn't all that
much, but I figure it would be better shorter.

The only drawback I can think of is that I could not use a sail longer than
the original, but figure the odds of ever having to do that is slim. (the
sails are in better condition than the hull.)

So, should I cut the boom down, or is it being destructive?

"Matt Colie" wrote in message
...
John,

The extra length might be there to allow the foot tackle (outhaul) room
to work and a place to put a topping lift.

The six inches is beyond the foot tackle. What is a topping lift; to hold
the boom up when the sail is dropped? Don't have one, or have much need for
it.

Is that 6" (no gender jokes please) causing you some difficulty?

No, I don't suppose it weighs more than a few ounces, but if it serves no
purpose... I used to backpack and still cut the labels off of everything.

I can't imaging a builder giving away 6' of anything.

Probably not.

John,
It doesn't sound like you need it at all

John Smith wrote:
The six inches is beyond the foot tackle. -OK-

What is a topping lift; to hold the boom up when the sail is dropped?
- Yes - and some other times as well.

It could just be that they get the boom extrusion and make one cut to
get two booms. The to cut to length, extra cuts would have to be
actually measured and the foot long piece of Al sold as scrap. I have
know this to happen with other classes.

Matt Colie

On Sun, 21 Aug 2005 13:09:16 GMT, "John Smith"
wrote:

I have a 13' sail boat (starwing). The boom is 6" longer than it has to be.
Is there any reason not to cut it back? Sure, 6" inches isn't all that
much, but I figure it would be better shorter.

The only drawback I can think of is that I could not use a sail longer than
the original, but figure the odds of ever having to do that is slim. (the
sails are in better condition than the hull.)

So, should I cut the boom down, or is it being destructive?


If it is a one-design - preserving its features would permit future
class racing, at some point.

Brian W

I'll wager the whole boat is 6" longer than it needs to be.

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If the mainsheet were 6" forward of its current location, would it knock
someone's hat off?
"John Smith" wrote in message
...
I have a 13' sail boat (starwing). The boom is 6" longer than it has to
be.
Is there any reason not to cut it back? Sure, 6" inches isn't all that
much, but I figure it would be better shorter.

The only drawback I can think of is that I could not use a sail longer
than
the original, but figure the odds of ever having to do that is slim. (the
sails are in better condition than the hull.)

So, should I cut the boom down, or is it being destructive?

Considering what everyone else has suggested, I would suggest verifying that
the sail was made to the proper foot measurement.

If you don't have the original sail plan, then consider how your boat is
currently sailing. Perhaps you may want that extra 6" the next time you have
a new sail made. Check all this out before you cut the extra length off. You
could regret it at some future date.

I made the mistake of cutting several inches off my boom. Being overly
concerned about my main boom hitting the radar arch (if the topping lift
were too slack when I drop the sail). Now I could use a couple more inches
for the clew outhaul.


--
My experience and opinion, FWIW

--
Steve
s/v Good Intentions

"John Smith" wrote in message
...
I have a 13' sail boat (starwing). The boom is 6" longer than it has to
be.
Is there any reason not to cut it back? Sure, 6" inches isn't all that
much, but I figure it would be better shorter.

The only drawback I can think of is that I could not use a sail longer
than
the original, but figure the odds of ever having to do that is slim. (the
sails are in better condition than the hull.)

So, should I cut the boom down, or is it being destructive?

John Smith wrote:

I have a 13' sail boat (starwing). The boom is 6" longer than it has to be.
Is there any reason not to cut it back? Sure, 6" inches isn't all that
much, but I figure it would be better shorter.

The only drawback I can think of is that I could not use a sail longer than
the original, but figure the odds of ever having to do that is slim. (the
sails are in better condition than the hull.)

So, should I cut the boom down, or is it being destructive?




-

besides a shorter boom, what are you gaining? You are going down a path
that is hard to undo, so you should have a good reason.

paul

-