[C320-list] boom

Sun Jun 10 07:23:50 PDT 2007

Maybe, but I don't think you can get the mainsail performance you need 
for racing with a bolt rope design unless you build in a big shelf and 
use a flattening reef like racing boats had back in the 70's.  The loose 
foot lets you adjust draft much more effectively and simply.  And a bolt 
rope main with a shelf and the outhaul eased for running is essentially 
the same a loose footed main in terms of loading anyhow.

I suspect that the bigger culprit in this failure is the mainsheet 
design on our boats.  We have a design that lets us have nice big 
biminis and even connectors to the dodger all because we don't have to 
deal with a mainsheet through the cockpit.  But having the traveller 
forward of the main hatch with sheeting to the middle of the boom 
increases loading on this system enormously compared to what you see on 
comparably sized boats designed primarily for racing.  If I were going 
to convert my 320 into a racing machine (which I do not intend to do!) 
the very first change would be to install a traveller across the cockpit 
just forward of the helm with a new mainsheet system rigged closer to 
the end of the boom.  You shouldn't need a winch to trim the main on a 
boat this size, and the traveller should not be so difficult to manage 
either.  Look at the setup on a J105 for evidence.

Scott Thompson

Jeffrey Hare wrote:
> Hi Mike,
> 
>    Or, perhaps you could say, a "disadvantage" of a loose footed main.  
> A loose footed main probably wouldn't have damaged the boom since the stress
> on the boom is distributed across the boom due to the boltrope, rather than
> concentrated just at the gooseneck and at the aft end of the boom.
> 
> Good luck!
> 
> -Jeff
> 
>  
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com
> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of LaChance,Michael B
> Sent: Thursday, June 07, 2007 10:40 AM
> To: C320-List
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] boom
> 
> Here's what happened, windward leeward course NW winds blowing mid-20's
> gusting higher. Not reefed but we had changed headsail down to the 110% jib
> before the race. Experienced crew, third season on the boat. Too much wind
> for spinnaker so we poled out jib wing & wing for downwind leg hitting
> speeds of 8.2kt through the water. 
> 
> Last section of approach to leeward was close inshore leaving Fisher's
> Island to starboard and another little island to port, kinda narrow area,
> lobster pots and with lots of boats converging for the mark. Just ahead,
> bigger boats in another class with chutes up were broaching. In retrospect
> that should have been a warning to us. All downwind we had vang on hard,
> traveler down all the way and mainsheet really tight. 
> 
> We knew the jibe would be tricky and deliberately took it slow, but with all
> the other boats around it was kinda busy. We believe traveler position and
> perhaps a weary main trimmer (at this point we were out in these conditions
> just over 2 hours - need that traveler upgrade!) contributed to break. We
> also think the winds got real funky near the shore. When boom came around it
> snapped cleanly just aft of the mainsheet attachment and almost directly
> over the cockpit before flopping over starboard lifelines. Thankfully no
> injuries. Mainsail was not damaged- another advantage of a loose footed main
> I guess. Reefing lines through the boom kept the broken section onboard and
> from becoming a flying hazard. We continued sailing downwind leg under jib
> alone until we were clear to head into wind to bring down mainsail. Worst
> part was giving up a big lead and withdrawing.  At least we were first to
> the bar where my crew bought too many rounds of shots to cheer me up. 
> 
> My rigger will be on the boat this am. Rig Rite was very helpful on the
> phone this morning. They are only 1hr drive away and if the boom section is
> in stock we should be racing next Wed. 
> Mike LaChance
> Commodore C320IA
> Seychelle #141
>  
> -----Original Message-----
> From: c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com
> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Chris Burti
> Sent: Thursday, June 07, 2007 8:23 AM
> To: C320-List
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] boom
> 
> If I recall correctly that was an Isomat spar. I believe that Charleston
> Spars in Charlotte bought out the Sparcraft and Isomat lines and inventory.
> They are probably the largest OEM spar manufacturer now and they have all
> the drawings and can furnish a suitable replacement fast.
> www.charleston-spar.com
> 
> Rig Rite also sells Isomat hardware. Rig-Rite stocks a large selection of
> Isomat Parts. Technical data and descriptions of all common Isomat Parts and
> Spar Sections are on-site, many with pictures.
> *www.RigRite.com*<http://www.rigrite.com/index.htm>
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On 6/6/07, LaChance,Michael B <MBLACHAN at travelers.com> wrote:
>> Just broke my boom jibing in 26kts,  motoring back from leeward mark
> now.
>> Clean break just aft of mainsheet attachment point. 1994 hull 141. How
> can I
>> get a. replacement fast???
>> Mike LaChance
>> Commodore
>> C320IA
>>
>>
>> This message is being sent from my Blackberry
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com
> <c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com
>> To: c320-list at catalina320.com <c320-list at catalina320.com>
>> Sent: Wed Jun 06 16:30:05 2007
>> Subject: [C320-list]  Sound Proofing
>>
>> I installed the SPM from Sailor Solutions.  It worked great!  It took
> me
>> about 2 hours. I ordered the SPM18 and had a couple of tiles left over
> after
>> doing the covers.  I plan on revisiting the project later to use these
> tiles
>> on some of the uncovered areas in the engine compartment.
>>
>> I also installed a couple of handles.  The sound proofing material
> adds a
>> lot of weight.
>>
>> Make sure you purchase some metal tape to tape the seams. I got 2
> rolls at
>> WM and used them both.  Also a razor blade knife to trim the tiles.
>>
>> After you install the covers, start the engine and let it run a few 
>> minutes.  The flywheel pulley will rub on the tiles and make a nice
> pattern
>> for you to trim out so, remove the front cover and check it out.
> After you
>> trim out that area a little, you will expose the foam.  I put some
> metal
>> tape over the exposed foam insulation.
>>
>> Good luck!
>>
>> Randy
>> Le Bijou
>> Hull 719
>>
>> No virus found in this outgoing message.
>> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>> Version: 7.5.472 / Virus Database: 269.8.9/834 - Release Date:
> 06/05/2007
>> 2:38 PM
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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> ========================================================================
> ======
>> The Travelers e-mail system made this annotation on 06/06/07,
> 19:21:09.
>>
> 
> 
> --
> Chris Burti
> Farmville, NC
> 
> 
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> The Travelers e-mail system made this annotation on 06/07/07, 10:40:04.
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