Cure for a "droopy boom?"

[Steve]

Short of getting a new set of sails is there any way to get the back end of my boom raised higher? It seems so low and has come close to beheading several people. The sails are old and worn and I am sure they have been stretched over the years. Any ideas? Thanks Steve/Wild Rumpas

 

[Rod Johnson,]

Some ideas

Without seeing the boat, it is hard to answer, but I'll try a few tips. First, is your mast standing straight, or is it raked too far aft? The mast should be more or less vertical if viewed from the side, maybe 2 degrees+/- aft of perfectly vertical. Is the outhaul tight? the boom on my Day Sailer will droop slightly if the outhaul is too loose. Beyond that, I'd say that you are overdue for new sails if the boom is drooping below horizontal, actually it should be slightly higher at the clew than the tack.