The Cure for H23 Boom Droop

[Steve Lucas]

I took my 88 Neil Pryde h23 main to my local sailmaker to talk about re-cutting the foot to increase headroom and reduce the chance of decapitation. He took one look and found the problem. The luff rope had shrunk about 11 inches! He pulled out the stitching and we pulled along the luff and the main returned to its correct length. This shrinkage would not allow the main to be fully raised which caused boom (supported by the leech which was the correct length) hang down instead of parallel to the water. A breakthrough for all boom droop sufferers!Steve

 

[Mike Epp]

Hmmmmmmmmm

I suffer chronic boom drop too and have even considered raising the boom attachment point to the mast. Especially since the head of my main stops about 1 foot short of the top of the mast. But my main has slides on the luff and is only a year old. I don't quite follow how the shrunken luff rope would prevent you from raising the main to the top of the mast.

 

[steve]

for mike

The luff rope shrunk about 8 inches. The rope itself runs from the headboard to about 5 inches above the foot. It pulled the foot about 8 inches closer to the headboard reducing the luff length. The foot is attached to the boom so when the headboard is pulled up the mast it stops about 8 inches short. The boom is then supported by the leech which droops into the cockpit because the top of the sail is eight inches below its correct position.steve

 

[John Thomas]

for Steve

Steve,I think I see what your getting at and if what you say is true and works, then there are a lot of H23 owners out there that are going to be very happy. I have one question however, is this something that a sailloft will have to do or could I do this myself?Thanks again, jthomas@access1.com

 

[Darrel Richards]

Luff Rope

Steve, If the luff rope shrank that much are you sure the sail in still serviceable? On my 1988 h23 the luff rope not only shrunk, it disappearedin a couple of places. Since the dacron in the sail also streches, me andmy sailmaker decided it would be best to retire the old main and use it forcasual (non-performance) duty. The sailmaker then built me a new dacronmain that is full batten at the top only, and open footed. The sail has performed beautifully. We race the boat and last weekend we won the Hillsboro to West Palm race. This was a distance of 33.8 NM. and averaged 6.1 knots. Not bad for a boat with 5.9 rated hull speed. We couplethe new main with a 135% jib that was built new 1 year ago. It seemsto be a great combo.Great to share with you and best of luck with your h23.

 

[Steve Lucas]

To John & Darrel

My sailmaker is making a new 110 for me and thats when he took a look at my main and noticed the shrinkage ( You can see it along the luff. If the luff looks wrinkled then the rope has shrunk). He said the main should last another season and thats all I need. I plan to get a new main next year. As far as doing it yourself... The sailmaker just pulled out the stitching that held the bottom of the rope out. Next we pulled along the luff from the head to foot and thats it. He also told me not to worry about re-stitching the rope. He has over 25 years of experience so trust him. Hope this helpsSteve