[Public-List] fixed vs sliding boom gooseneck attachment at mast

[Jacques TN]

Gerry,

The boom slides up and down on the track on the mast in order to assist in
trimming the mainsail.  A line called a Cunningham tensions the boom (
tightens the luff of the sail) by pulling down and is tied to a cleat lower
down on the mast.  The Cunningham adjustment (tight or loose) affects the
mainsail draft position. With a loose Cunningham the draft will be further
aft. When the Cunningham is tensioned the draft will move forward and open
the leech of the mainsail. To help with the right sail shape it is usually
tensioned down in higher winds and loosened up in light winds.  If you use a
fixed attachment of the boom to the mast you will loose this sail trimming
potential.  Unless we are racing I usually set my luff tension using the
Cunningham midway in tension.  That is usually good enough for me.
Otherwise I use the main halyard tension to provide some tension or not.  I
hope this makes sense??

Jacques
Kilwinning #446

-----Original Message-----
From: public-list-bounces at lists.alberg30.org
[mailto:public-list-bounces at lists.alberg30.org] On Behalf Of David Tessier
Sent: August-02-08 10:50 PM
To: public-list at lists.alberg30.org
Subject: [Public-List] fixed vs sliding boom gooseneck attachment at mast

Our gooseneck slides on a 1" wide track whose attachment screws have failed.
The existing track consists of a 1" wide x 1/8" thick by 18" long (tapped
screw fasteners every 2") Stainless Steel bar, screwed to the aft surface of
the mast and held off the mast with a ca. 1/8" thick wooden (teak?) spacer.
The wood appears to have weakened over the years/decades and 7 of the 10
screws have sheared off.  We have the option of removing the threaded
remains of the screws and refitting the existing track, this time with an
aluminium spacer. However, I wonder whether a fixed attachment point for the
boom gooseneck might be more convenient and stronger (and free up a cleat at
the base of my mast).Any comments or references to discussion of fixed vs
sliding gooseneck attachment would be greatly appreciated.Suggestions for
hardware replacements for fittings for fixed or sliding (type of track,
material of construction) configurations would also be welcome.  David &
Gerry Tessier"Trois 
 Bouleaux" #319Georgian Bay, ON
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