Min boom length longer than required

Question
Hi Windlover,

In considering booms (vs a new boom head), I ran across what might be a good deal on a new clamp on boom.

However in my quest to only buy ONE new boom and still be able to add a larger sail to my quiver, I was wondering if I need to go with a 200 - 250 cm boom.

That would seem to work with the size required by a new larger sail ( 8.0 - 9.0 ) as well as my current (older) large sails.


However my nice Pursuit sail calls for a boom length of 187 cm.

Do you think this would work out, or should I fall back to a new boom of 180 - 230 cm?

My current sail quiver needs run from 187 - 220 cm in oom length.

But when I look at some of the Maui Sails with two cams in the 9.0 m2 size require a 230 boom length.

So I am torn as to which way to go.

In another post, you said that for my weight (245) that I ought to be able to go up to a 9.0 m2 with the HiFly board.

As always - your thoughts and advice is appreciated!

Charles

Answer
Hey Charles,

Having a boom too long is better than a boom too short. Go for the longer boom to accomodate the larger sails. For the smaller sail that the boom is a bit long for, you can still make it work. The key is to secure the outhaul so that the sail is stable.

Take a piece of downhaul/outhaul rope about 18" long. Tie a single knot at one end. Tie the rope onto the boom with a double half hitch cinching it up tight to the knot on the end. This  double half hitch knot should be even with the edge of the sail. Take the rope and loop it around your outhaul lines and start a double half hitch. Put some tension on the line so the sail pulls toward the boom slightly and finish the double half hitch. Now loop the rope around the other side of the boom and then back around the outhaul lines. Pull the rope tight to lock the end of sail in place and tie another double half hitch around the outhaul lines.

Securing the outhaul of the sail like this will stablize the sail. A stable sail is easier to handle and retains more power. When the outhaul is not stable, it spills air and releases power.

Hope this helps.
Keep on sailing,
Windlover