Can I shorten my boom?

rgranger · Nov 23, 2015

Couldn't you just shorten the foot of the main and continue to use the same boom?

JohnVTX · Nov 23, 2015

Yes you can shorten the boom yourself. Yes you will have to have your sail re-cut. I have had a main I bought shortened, and it was relatively cheap to do.

centerline · Nov 23, 2015

almost always when the same model of boat is produced with a shorter boom, the mast will be taller.

you can cut your boom off to whatever length you want, but the design of the boat, its ballast ratio, the rigging and sailing characteristics is what determines your sail plan...
so dont cut your boom too short if its going to reduce your sail area beyond what is needed for good sailing ability.

when it comes to anything boat related, just because it seems cheap and easy doesnt mean it is, and it probably means its the wrong way to proceed

...

DianaOfBurlington · Nov 23, 2015

Be prepared to lose a little pointing ability unless you also go to a shorter-footed jib.

JohnVTX · Nov 23, 2015

All Tartan 34's had a 34 foot mast.
The foot of the mainsail was shortened from the original design at least twice to improve balance and/or to lower it's IOR rating.
Hull 125 and later: E = 12.0'
Hull 200 and later: E = 10.5'

rgranger · Nov 23, 2015

sailnoproblem said:
How would that help? I want to be able to stand at the tiller without having to duck. I thank you for the suggestion, but I don't think it would help.

Oh, sorry. I assumed you were trying to correct some weather helm. Can you raise the existing boom higher?

rgranger · Nov 23, 2015

I would worry about changing the balance of the rig and creating lee-helm.

JohnVTX · Nov 23, 2015

This is directly from their spec sheet. No changes except for the length of the boom...

sailnoproblem said:
Thank you for the info. The hull design and ballast did not change through the model run. I know the shorter boom was added at around hull# 90 or so.
I will dig a little deeper just to make sure I don't screw things up. I know the boat was designed as a racer/cruiser, but I am a pleasure cruiser, and am not a racer. I just enjoy my time on the water.
CHEERS

JohnVTX · Nov 23, 2015

From their spec sheet...
All Tartan 34's had a 34 foot mast.
The foot of the mainsail was shortened from the original design at least twice to improve balance and/or to lower it's IOR rating.
Hull 125 and later: E = 12.0'
Hull 200 and later: E = 10.5'

Jackdaw · Nov 23, 2015

DianaOfBurlington said:
Be prepared to lose a little pointing ability unless you also go to a shorter-footed jib.

Why do you say that??

Capt jgw · Nov 23, 2015

The boom on the Columbia 36 is about three feet longer than the foot of the main, presumably to give a better lead for the end boom sheeting. But it looks stupid. When I went to mid boom sheeting on mine I cut the extra length off. Just took the end cap off, cut the extrusion with a chop saw and fine wood blade, and put the cap back on. No problem.

lost soul · Dec 24, 2016

Just reading this now, as I just joined.
The Tartan 34 has a 44 foot long mast.

The boom was changed in length as stated above. The mast height, 44 feet, was not changed.

Ted · Dec 25, 2016

Looks like this might turn into a high aspect vs low aspect sail design discussion. Sounds like fun. You can cut the boom pretty easily unless your gooseneck and outhaul fittings are welded onto your boom section. You might want to sail your boat with a main that has a shorter foot before you make the final decision to cut your boom. It's easier to shorten than to lengthen the boom.

thinwater · Dec 25, 2016

Perhaps I'm misunderstanding.

The OP is considering cutting 3.5 feet off the boom, and I presume the same amount from the foot of the sail. That means a new main and a BIG change in balance. We could be looking at lee helm.

My first question would be how does the boat handle with a full genoa and reef or 2 in the main? If the answer is she still has a few degrees of weather helm, the boat will be a hair slower and probably loose a few degrees of pointing in light air (loosing power does that), but things should be fine. However, if the boat develops lee helm, you'll need to solve that.

It may also be possible to raise the boom by raising the clew. That might be my first choice. But it should come down to balance, not looks.

Cutting the boom and reinstalling is the minor issue. 3.5 feet of foot is major.

fstbttms · Dec 25, 2016

I bet naval architechs roll on the floor with laughter when somebody suggests making major modifications to the rig without having a clue about what it will do to the sailing characteristics of the boat.