Rolling boom?

[Steve]

What's the deal? When we bought our Javelin 14 the previous owner mumbled something about how the boom can rotate on itself at the gooseneck and you can use that to reef the sails. We had no idea what he meant but figured we'd understand later. I still have no idea what that's for. Is it just a way to store the mainsail when docked? I can't believe it can work as a "roller reefing" system since rolling it would encase the mainsheet line and block and also interfere with the boom vang. Any thoughts on this? Is this standard equipment on many small boats? Thanks.

 

[Mike Basham]

Same on my 23'

My 1972 23' has a similar arrangement on the boom. It didn't have a vang when I purchased it, and the connection for the mainsheet at the end of the boom would rotate on the boom. By pulling out on the boom, it would then rotate at the gooseneck. The mainsheet connection would stay in place while the boom was rotate to roll up the lower part of the mainsail. I never used it that way, so I have no idea how it actually performed.I decided that I would rather have a vang and use the "slab reefing" method. Had to reef it this weekend, I'm thankful to say; the winds were great in Atlanta!

 

[John King]

roll me away!

I have used the roller reefing on my 22 for several years and find it to work ok.I have a topping lift on my boom, and have to unhook it to reef.My vang has a cable lead at the boom end, and wraps around with the boom as you roll it.My mainsheet connects at a swivel at the aft end of the boom.I had to take up three rolls on the boom in strong winds a few weeks ago!

 

[Steve]

but John....

You say your vang has a cable lead that wraps or rolls around with the boom when you roll it. Doesn't that render the vang useless as it would enclose the lead inside the sail and give you nothing to attach the vang to?