raising the bar

[Doug]

I need to get the back of my sail raised about 18" so the boom will clear an installed bimini when the topping lift is released. I can't lower the bimini more than about six inces. SailCare cleaned my sails last year ( did a great job ) and took a foot off the top of the sail. Since the boom is fixed, all that did was stop the sail from going all the way up. I have spoken with a couple of sail lofts and they don't normally remove more than six inches from the clew. Has anyone drilled out and moved the goose neck support up the mast? If I could move the boom up a foot, I might get by with little or no sail cut. What is the significance of the black bands on the mast? I have an Isomat mast and left messages with rig rite and Charleston Spars but would like as many opinions as possible.Thanks - Doug

 

[Phillip Coker]

Me, too.

I sail my 29.5 on San Francisco Bay with the mail reefed almost all of the time. If the boom were a bit higher and the sail a bit smaller I would get a little more headroom and eliminate the "permanent" reef. Can I safely raise the boom up a foot on the mast? If so, can I take a foot off the bottom of the main or should I have a new main built?Phillip

 

[Frank Walker]

Foot of the Main

Doug, I had a triangular section cut out of the foot of my main several years ago (88 Hunter 30) to get the aft end of the boom up out of my face and above my bimini. Works out great and no re working the boom fitttings. If I remember correctly, the sailmaker only charged about $125 for the operation.

 

[Terry]

Hi Doug, the only black bands that I recall

on our boats were on the boom. These bands are used as out haul points of reference.Terry

 

[Sam Lust]

Black bands - - -

- - - are sail size indicators for racing. they indicate the greatest allowable size for the sail. If the sail goes beyond the band you're disqualified for having greater than regulation sail area. This was the main reason Briggs Cunningham invented the "Cunningham". (For sail control, the Cummingham racing car of the 1950's is for discussion at another web site.) It allowed the main to be made as big as could be under mild conditions. As things kicked up and the main needed to be tightened up, the Cummingham is hauled down to the shape desired without hauling the head up beyond the top black band.

 

[Ed]

Hey Doug

Hey Doug,I live in Cary. What Hunter model boat do you have, and where do you keep it? Maybe we can get together sometime for a joint sail, although I keep my boat ('97 Hunter 280) up on the Chesapeake Bay in Cobbs Creek, VA.Ed Sabornie