Main sheet control locations.

[jimmyb]

Is there any difference in sailing performance or control between a mid boom mainsheet set up and mainsheet controls on the end of a boom? Other than keeping the cockpit clear of tackle would there be reason to desire one over the other.

Thanks, jimmyb

 

[David in Sandusky]

Advantages of boom end sheeting

In my experience, boom end sheeting is faster and easier, resulting in more tuning actions.

The big advantage is that there is less stress on the boom, reducing the tiny likelyhood of a catastrophic failure of the boom.

 

[Bill Roosa]

laverage

the end boom has better mechanical advantage (aka leverage) than mid boom. Mid boom does not stress the boom as much though. It is not recommend to change from one to the other without KNOWING what the boom can take. While it looks like a stout piece of equipment it is really not very over designed. Going from one to the other configuration could result in boom breakage at a very inopportune moment.

 

[caguy]

Adding a boom vang and traveler will help if you keep thw end boom configuation.

 

[sinnettc]

My Capri 22 has mid-boom sheeting and a windward sheeting traveler just about mid-cockpit. I really like the combination better than having the controls behind me, though the traveler track can be a real shin biter.

 

[JoeWhite]

On my 1984 Hunter 25.5 the traveller was just at the bottom of the companionway and the main sheet was attached at a point about 60% of the boom measured from the mast. Since it did not have boom vang I added it thinking it would help the shape of the sail. I found that I never used the boomvang. Here is why - when the main sheet is connected not at the rear end of the boom it can be used both as a boom vang and the main sheet along with the traveller to provide twist and shape the main sail. If you move the connection point to the back end - you also have to relocate the traveller and add boomvang. Leave it the way it is - my input.

 

[jimmyb]

thanks guys for responding. i have mid boom sheeting on my little rig now, no plans on changing that but anticipate end boom sheeting with our move up in boat size. I also like having the controls out ahead. just wondering what to expect when that changes.

jimmy b

 

[BobM]

I have end boom sheeting. The only downsides are that you end up with a lot of main sheet in the cockpit sometimes, I have to be careful not to sit on the main sheet, pulling it out of the cam cleat on the fiddle block and I cannot mount a Bimini that shades the helm.

 

[larryw]

If you plan to have kids or non-boating guests aboard, avoid the cockpit traveler. It is more hassle and trouble and dangerous than mid-boom.

 

[JerryA]

JimmyB,
My H170 had mid-boom sheeting, and my P23 has end-boom sheeting. One of the differenced I noticed is how much more main sheet I have in the cockpit compared to the H170. However, it is usually at the back of the cockpit, under the tiller, and not a problem. Not sure how it would be with a wheel. I also found that the mid-boom sheeted faster. Since it moves less there is less hand-over-hand action required for same boom distance. How do you like your P15? I also have a P13.

JerryA

 

[jimmyb]

JimmyB,
My H170 had mid-boom sheeting, and my P23 has end-boom sheeting. One of the differenced I noticed is how much more main sheet I have in the cockpit compared to the H170. However, it is usually at the back of the cockpit, under the tiller, and not a problem. Not sure how it would be with a wheel. I also found that the mid-boom sheeted faster. Since it moves less there is less hand-over-hand action required for same boom distance. How do you like your P15? I also have a P13.

JerryA

Jerry
the wife and I really love the boat. its our first and its been a blast. we really like the excitement of the "seat of your pants" type of sailing without the instability of a full on racing dingy. we are looking now to move up to something like the precision 165 or 18 not sure yet. we would like the extra storage and maybe camp on it but we dont want to give up the ease of launching, trailering and sailing of the little boat. Its a very hard decision for us.

Thanks jimmyb

 

[Stu Jackson]

You have been advised of the three options: mid boom, cockpit, and end boom.

Interestingly enough, they all do the very same thing: move the boom to where you want it.