Does any one have the same experience of me,about our boom length? I think it is litle bit too long for that size of boat,and may be it's the reason of the weatherhelm that mostly complained. I compared with Beneteau's,and seen that: 350 Ben.has 3 meter bomm(H340 has 5 meter) 380 BEN.HAS 3.8 Meter 400 Ben.has 4 meter,and so on.. So,it seems,H 340 has a boom of 50 foot boat(?) It also puts too much forces to the control devices, such as boomvang.In recent days,in a weather of 5-6 with first reef,the lower connection of boomvang is broken (where it connected to the mast bottom plate) on the downwind course. WAITING FOR YOUR OPINION
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I think because......
the 340 is a fractional rig is why the boom is longer than other boats your size. A fractional rig will have a larger main and smaller headsail than a masthead rigged sloop. Bob S/V Lady Di II
the 340 is a fractional rig is why the boom is longer than other boats your size. A fractional rig will have a larger main and smaller headsail than a masthead rigged sloop. Bob S/V Lady Di II
By design
The 340 is intended to have a longer boom maximizing mainsail area in conjunction with no backstay and the the additional roach. The weather helm is a result of the very wide stern. The boom is longer, but I'll suspect you find the mast is shorter (allow not necessarily shorter than a masthead rig) and the mast is farther forward.
The 340 is intended to have a longer boom maximizing mainsail area in conjunction with no backstay and the the additional roach. The weather helm is a result of the very wide stern. The boom is longer, but I'll suspect you find the mast is shorter (allow not necessarily shorter than a masthead rig) and the mast is farther forward.
What about other comparisons
Dear Justin,sorry but I don't think our mast is shorter.Please check it out with your neighbours in marinas.Let me give you some measurements: H 340 has 17.22 m.(56.6 ft.)mast fr.dwl.Boom is 16 ft. Baveria 34 has 14.54 m.-Baveria 38 has 17.05 m. Hunter has, E=16'and P=44'.5 sail area=682sq.ft(63sqM) catalina 36,E=12' P=39' =601 sq.ft catalina 40,E=17' p=47' =800 sq.ft contest 35 has only 15 m.(49',5)mast ht.fr.dwl So,I think we have the longest boom and additonal longest mast,among the same size boats.
Dear Justin,sorry but I don't think our mast is shorter.Please check it out with your neighbours in marinas.Let me give you some measurements: H 340 has 17.22 m.(56.6 ft.)mast fr.dwl.Boom is 16 ft. Baveria 34 has 14.54 m.-Baveria 38 has 17.05 m. Hunter has, E=16'and P=44'.5 sail area=682sq.ft(63sqM) catalina 36,E=12' P=39' =601 sq.ft catalina 40,E=17' p=47' =800 sq.ft contest 35 has only 15 m.(49',5)mast ht.fr.dwl So,I think we have the longest boom and additonal longest mast,among the same size boats.
Way Hunter's Are Designed
Hunter's are designed with a large roached main and a small jib; the long boom comes with the large mainsail. On a Hunter the main is the 'power sail', while on Bene's and Cat's the big genoa is the power sail. On the Hunter the mast is moved forward to balance the sail plan. And the mast is just as tall, and there is indeed quite a lot of sail up there. One of the results of the Hunter sail plan is that grinding the jib going to weather is a whole lot less strenuous, which is one of the things that we like about it. As Hunter claims, it is an easy sail plan to manage on some points of sail. The relatively large sail area also makes Hunter's move in light air, and in our cruising to date we have been frustrated by light air much more often than we have been beat up by heavy air. These are some of the reasons we bought a Hunter. The other side of the coin (always these balances; you just can't have everything!) is that these same characteristics can make the boat tender and prone to weather helm, as you have noted. Answer, and it's been said many times on this site, is to REEF EARLY. Bring the sail area down and sail the boat upright. You can always reef a tender boat in heavy air, and enjoy moving right along in light air. The other way around doesn't work; there is absolutely nothing that you can do with a heavy cruiser In light air. We prefer Hunter's side of these balances. Carl and Juliana Dupre H340 s/v 'Syzygy'
Hunter's are designed with a large roached main and a small jib; the long boom comes with the large mainsail. On a Hunter the main is the 'power sail', while on Bene's and Cat's the big genoa is the power sail. On the Hunter the mast is moved forward to balance the sail plan. And the mast is just as tall, and there is indeed quite a lot of sail up there. One of the results of the Hunter sail plan is that grinding the jib going to weather is a whole lot less strenuous, which is one of the things that we like about it. As Hunter claims, it is an easy sail plan to manage on some points of sail. The relatively large sail area also makes Hunter's move in light air, and in our cruising to date we have been frustrated by light air much more often than we have been beat up by heavy air. These are some of the reasons we bought a Hunter. The other side of the coin (always these balances; you just can't have everything!) is that these same characteristics can make the boat tender and prone to weather helm, as you have noted. Answer, and it's been said many times on this site, is to REEF EARLY. Bring the sail area down and sail the boat upright. You can always reef a tender boat in heavy air, and enjoy moving right along in light air. The other way around doesn't work; there is absolutely nothing that you can do with a heavy cruiser In light air. We prefer Hunter's side of these balances. Carl and Juliana Dupre H340 s/v 'Syzygy'
CONCLUSION
I want to thank you all for your responses. In conclusion,I think we came to that point: 1)H 340 has longer boom and taller mast(so much larger main) than her rivals. 2)It is an advantage in light air.Most owners happy with it,better for them,because they frustrate by light air much more often than beatup by heavy weather in USA. 3)OK.If it is worldwide production,what about the other owners,who live in (not only weekends)longer periods,in different waters and different weathers of the world? I'm sailing 5-6 months a year,in Mediterranean and Agean waters.Here you have 3-5 force of northerly winds with sudden gusts up to 7,all summer daytime. Believe me,it's horrible to control her to stop BROACHÝNG even you have the 2.reef. When jibbing,on downwind sail in 5-6 force wind,you can't hold and control the boom,even with 2.reef. It can broke anything that try to control or hold it, AS IT DID ON MINE...
I want to thank you all for your responses. In conclusion,I think we came to that point: 1)H 340 has longer boom and taller mast(so much larger main) than her rivals. 2)It is an advantage in light air.Most owners happy with it,better for them,because they frustrate by light air much more often than beatup by heavy weather in USA. 3)OK.If it is worldwide production,what about the other owners,who live in (not only weekends)longer periods,in different waters and different weathers of the world? I'm sailing 5-6 months a year,in Mediterranean and Agean waters.Here you have 3-5 force of northerly winds with sudden gusts up to 7,all summer daytime. Believe me,it's horrible to control her to stop BROACHÝNG even you have the 2.reef. When jibbing,on downwind sail in 5-6 force wind,you can't hold and control the boom,even with 2.reef. It can broke anything that try to control or hold it, AS IT DID ON MINE...
Rick is right.
Order the issue of Practical Sailor that tests "boom brakes". An alternative is to trade up, your H340 for my H37C.
Order the issue of Practical Sailor that tests "boom brakes". An alternative is to trade up, your H340 for my H37C.
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