Looking at purchasing a 29.5 and have a question about the main sheet arrangments we have seen on them. Some are rigged with end boom sheeting while others use a mid boom arrangement. Other than the effect on the bimini installation are there any other considerations for choosing a boat with one system over the other? Am considering the mid boom since it permits larger bimini (much needed here in FL). Thanks Grant Ziebell Grant Z5906@aol.com for direct response.
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My Opinion........
If all else is equal then take the one that works best for you. Most of the time however, things are not equal. The primary consideration SHOULD be sail control. End-boom sheeting gives MUCH more power and therefore sail control than mid-boom sheeting. If the mid-boom system gives you enough power to sheet in ALL the way under heavy wind conditions, then you can make that choice. I suspect, however that this is not the case. I have mid-boom sheeting on my boat, but I redesigned the configeration for a 5:1 and 10:1 power ratio. The stock sheeting system was simply not good enough. I'm now considering going to end-boom sheeting, which is the way the boat should have been built in the first place.
If all else is equal then take the one that works best for you. Most of the time however, things are not equal. The primary consideration SHOULD be sail control. End-boom sheeting gives MUCH more power and therefore sail control than mid-boom sheeting. If the mid-boom system gives you enough power to sheet in ALL the way under heavy wind conditions, then you can make that choice. I suspect, however that this is not the case. I have mid-boom sheeting on my boat, but I redesigned the configeration for a 5:1 and 10:1 power ratio. The stock sheeting system was simply not good enough. I'm now considering going to end-boom sheeting, which is the way the boat should have been built in the first place.
Harkens web site has dozens of main-sheet ideas
So no matter what you decide to do, you can make it stronger or simpler or more complex. The main on my H34 is 'high aspect' so it was given 3:1 sheeting by Hunter. I just changed it to 4:1 with an additional block an a becket but it could use more power. It's mid-boom. Up here in the northwest, we need dodgers. Many boats are built around their dodgers. Mid-boom sheeting really helps with that setup. The various sheeting and canvas installation photos on my web site are numbered in the 90s among others.
So no matter what you decide to do, you can make it stronger or simpler or more complex. The main on my H34 is 'high aspect' so it was given 3:1 sheeting by Hunter. I just changed it to 4:1 with an additional block an a becket but it could use more power. It's mid-boom. Up here in the northwest, we need dodgers. Many boats are built around their dodgers. Mid-boom sheeting really helps with that setup. The various sheeting and canvas installation photos on my web site are numbered in the 90s among others.
Mid boom sheeting
I have a 1996 29.5 that we bought new. It came with mid boom sheeting that I have upgraded with a Garhauer unit. Many of 29.5's came stock with sheeting at top of the binicle at the end of the boom. The idea was that it put lines in a convenient place for the helmsman and got them out of the cockpit. Sounds good, but I heard that an acidental gybe was abe to pull the binicle right out of the boat. Further it is possible when the sail is let out to accidently catch someone around the throat with the sheet lines. My Garhauer is excellent and is over the cabin top so accidents are less lickley. When single handling it is only a little inconveient for me to walk to the cabin top for the controls---Clint
I have a 1996 29.5 that we bought new. It came with mid boom sheeting that I have upgraded with a Garhauer unit. Many of 29.5's came stock with sheeting at top of the binicle at the end of the boom. The idea was that it put lines in a convenient place for the helmsman and got them out of the cockpit. Sounds good, but I heard that an acidental gybe was abe to pull the binicle right out of the boat. Further it is possible when the sail is let out to accidently catch someone around the throat with the sheet lines. My Garhauer is excellent and is over the cabin top so accidents are less lickley. When single handling it is only a little inconveient for me to walk to the cabin top for the controls---Clint
Mid boom sheeting
I have a 1996 29.5 that we bought new. It came with mid boom sheeting that I have upgraded with a Garhauer unit. Many of 29.5's came stock with sheeting at top of the binicle at the end of the boom. The idea was that it put lines in a convenient place for the helmsman and got them out of the cockpit. Sounds good, but I heard that an acidental gybe was abe to pull the binicle right out of the boat. Further it is possible when the sail is let out to accidently catch someone around the throat with the sheet lines. My Garhauer is excellent and is over the cabin top so accidents are less lickley. When single handling it is only a little inconveient for me to walk to the cabin top for the controls---Clint
I have a 1996 29.5 that we bought new. It came with mid boom sheeting that I have upgraded with a Garhauer unit. Many of 29.5's came stock with sheeting at top of the binicle at the end of the boom. The idea was that it put lines in a convenient place for the helmsman and got them out of the cockpit. Sounds good, but I heard that an acidental gybe was abe to pull the binicle right out of the boat. Further it is possible when the sail is let out to accidently catch someone around the throat with the sheet lines. My Garhauer is excellent and is over the cabin top so accidents are less lickley. When single handling it is only a little inconveient for me to walk to the cabin top for the controls---Clint
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