BOOM HANGS LOW

[John Drost Jr.]

THE BOOM IN MY 1983 H20 HANGS LOW, IS THIS NORMAL OR THE SAIL STRECHED? THE SAILS ARE STOCK JONSON SAILS THAT CAME WITH THE BOAT, I BOUGHT THE BOAT LAST YEAR AND AM NOT SURE IF IT WAS THAT WAY WHEN NEW. IF THEY ARE STRECHED WILL WASHING IT AND DRYING IT IN THE SUN BRING IT BACK TO THE NORMAL SHAPE>

 

[Greg Stebbins]

Yes, your boom hangs low - be proud!!

Your boom does "hang low". I think it's supposed to. My boom '88 Hunter 23' also "hangs" a bit. I believe it was a charactistic of the smaller hunters produced in the 80's. The Hunter supplied drawings of my 23 show a marked drop of the boom from the gooseneck back. Sence I'm not one of the Bimini and barbque sailors, I don't see it as a problem. Just a little more sail area.

 

[Bill Colombo]

Low Boom Situation

John, It is possible that your mainsail leech has stretched with age, causing the boom to seem low. However washing and drying the sail will not "Shrink" itnoticably. The modern trend is to design mainsails with tack angles of 90 degrees(or less if there is a dodger or boom gallows). The manufacturer my have specified a "long" leech when the boat was built, but if I were going to design you a new sail I would make the leech shorter. It is possible to have the leech shortened if the sail is in good condition and you don't intend to replace it soon.Bill Colombo, Doyle SF