Well I finally have a boom installed and went out for a trial run. I have to say that I wasn't impressed, not the boom's fault, but my ability to read the sail and make the proper adjustments. So I did a lot of reading on reading the tell-tales and what adjustments to make.
Today it was blowing like stink. 20 mph winds with knock down puffs. I had to reef the main in to make it to the top end of the lake. Then let it out for some broad reach runs. The boom kept the sail out where it should be and adjusting the outhaul to make the sail "full" helped. However, when I put some vang into it, and reduced the top of the sail from twisting, its like a turbo kicked in.
I will say the boom does live up to its name if you don't duck low enough. Probably won't use it when I have someone on board for a leisurely sail
Oh yea, I dropped the idea of a barber-haul, to complicated and the vang gives the control over a broader range.
Charlie
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