I put a reef in the main and I noticed a slope downward in the boom. The boom is even when I run the main all the way up. Let me put it another way, where the boom meets the mast,it is higher by about 2 inches then the other end of the boom {toward's the cockpit}. I could tighten the topping lift but that puts excessive bag in the main {when reefed}. I have taken seansoned sailors and no one ever mentioned they thought the main was blown out. What am I doing wrong, or, is the sloop in the boom OK. I miss the extra headroom when reefed. thanks, Jack
reefed and slope of boom
- Thread starter Jack2438
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sloping boom
What type of reefing system do you have? If you use the standard jiffy reefing system you may need to tighten the reefing line at the clew end of the reef or ease off the tack end. Set up the topping lift, drop the main to the reef points, snug up the clew cringle first then the tack cringle. When the boom is level hoist the main, let off the topping lift and tie your reef points. Be sure to untie the reef points before you shake out the reef.
What type of reefing system do you have? If you use the standard jiffy reefing system you may need to tighten the reefing line at the clew end of the reef or ease off the tack end. Set up the topping lift, drop the main to the reef points, snug up the clew cringle first then the tack cringle. When the boom is level hoist the main, let off the topping lift and tie your reef points. Be sure to untie the reef points before you shake out the reef.
Problem?
I may be missing something, but I don't see why this is a problem. The boom should go where the sail takes it. I had a racing mainsail made one time, and the sailmaker (Sobstad) designed a longer leach to add more unrated sail area. A lot longer leach! This caused a pronounced droop at the aft end of the boom. The only negative on this boat was less downward leverage from the mainsheet because it was end boom sheeted to the transom, so the angle changed. But it was really not a problem otherwise, except for the reduced headroom. Your droop may be caused by the location of the aft reefing point.
I may be missing something, but I don't see why this is a problem. The boom should go where the sail takes it. I had a racing mainsail made one time, and the sailmaker (Sobstad) designed a longer leach to add more unrated sail area. A lot longer leach! This caused a pronounced droop at the aft end of the boom. The only negative on this boat was less downward leverage from the mainsheet because it was end boom sheeted to the transom, so the angle changed. But it was really not a problem otherwise, except for the reduced headroom. Your droop may be caused by the location of the aft reefing point.
Yes, It's a potential problem.
With the main properly reefed, the boom should be at the same point as it was before you reefed it (or possibly slightly higher). The most likely cause of this is that you either used the flattening reef point as your clew reef, or you didn't attach the reef lines properly. (The line should run from the end of the boom through the reef cringle and then tie to the boom DIRECTLY BELOW OR SLIGHTLY AFT of the reef cringle.) That method of attachment both pulls the sail down to the boom and provides adequate out-haul to flatten the sail. If you are using single line reefing, it is important to tighten the reef line as much as possible to bring both the tack and the clew down to the boom (this also provents you from getting boomed during tacks). This also means that your reef attachment point should be properly located (on my previous C-30, the reef line was external to the boom and the cheek block at the aft end of the boom was adjustable. I just ran the reef line through the cheek block, through the cringle, back under the boom, and tied it off to a becket on teh cheek block.) No. Your boom SHOULDN'T sag when you reef it. Steve Alchemist C-30T #4764 Alchemist C-320 #909
With the main properly reefed, the boom should be at the same point as it was before you reefed it (or possibly slightly higher). The most likely cause of this is that you either used the flattening reef point as your clew reef, or you didn't attach the reef lines properly. (The line should run from the end of the boom through the reef cringle and then tie to the boom DIRECTLY BELOW OR SLIGHTLY AFT of the reef cringle.) That method of attachment both pulls the sail down to the boom and provides adequate out-haul to flatten the sail. If you are using single line reefing, it is important to tighten the reef line as much as possible to bring both the tack and the clew down to the boom (this also provents you from getting boomed during tacks). This also means that your reef attachment point should be properly located (on my previous C-30, the reef line was external to the boom and the cheek block at the aft end of the boom was adjustable. I just ran the reef line through the cheek block, through the cringle, back under the boom, and tied it off to a becket on teh cheek block.) No. Your boom SHOULDN'T sag when you reef it. Steve Alchemist C-30T #4764 Alchemist C-320 #909
UP
The clew should be higher when reefed. If its not, something is wrong with the sail or your technique. Waves, heel angle, and roll are usually higher in conditions that require reefing. Getting the clew and the end of the boom higher reduces the chance of boat tripping on the boom if it hits a wave. Not much of a problem on today's high freeboard, high boomed boats, but having the clew lower when reefed is just asking for trouble.
The clew should be higher when reefed. If its not, something is wrong with the sail or your technique. Waves, heel angle, and roll are usually higher in conditions that require reefing. Getting the clew and the end of the boom higher reduces the chance of boat tripping on the boom if it hits a wave. Not much of a problem on today's high freeboard, high boomed boats, but having the clew lower when reefed is just asking for trouble.
Two inches?
Note that the original question stated the aft end of the boom is "two inches" lower than at the gooseneck. He didn't state what kind of a boat this is, but I still don't see why all the fuss. I guess I assumed he could tell if the reefing lines were run correctly, and had been tightened properly. My guess was that the aft reef cringle was installed a couple of inches low. Even so, I haven’t heard why a two inch lower boom is a problem unless the boat has dinghy type headroom. I still wouldn't get too worked up about it myself. Maybe I'm just not picky enough, although I've been told otherwise.
Note that the original question stated the aft end of the boom is "two inches" lower than at the gooseneck. He didn't state what kind of a boat this is, but I still don't see why all the fuss. I guess I assumed he could tell if the reefing lines were run correctly, and had been tightened properly. My guess was that the aft reef cringle was installed a couple of inches low. Even so, I haven’t heard why a two inch lower boom is a problem unless the boat has dinghy type headroom. I still wouldn't get too worked up about it myself. Maybe I'm just not picky enough, although I've been told otherwise.
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