Permanently raising the boom on a CD25D--good/bad?

[sustutt1]

I am in the market for a CD25D and have encountered some where the boom has permanently been raised to accommodate a bimini. Would appreciate any comment on what happens to the sail (now different from the original design) to power the boat when the sail area has been reduced. Especially a lee shore. Thanks in advance.

Sustutt

[Sea Hunt Video]

I just completed the process of raising the boom on S/V Bali Ha'i. The rigger raised the boom 13" to accommodate a new Bimini. I have NOT yet sailed with her with the boom raised. I am having new sails (both main and 130 Genoa) made by UK sails.

Somewhere in the archives of this website there is a discussion about the effects of raising the boom. I think most responses were positive.

I talked with several (perhaps many) sail makers, very experienced sailors, etc. I told them I wanted to raise the boom solely to accommodate a "head room" Bimini for South Florida sun/heat conditions. Universally, everyone said it was good idea and would not adversely effect the sailing characteristics.

1-2 experts told me "it's like having a permanent 1/2 reef in the main".

As everyone on this board well knows, I am a true rookie/tadpole sailor. I cannot, and do not, pretend to know the effect from personal experience. Given my limited skills, it was my thought (and decision) that having a permanent 1/2 reef was good for a guy like me.

[steveg]

Instead of raising the boom, why not just cut a triangle shape off the foot of the sail. It would be a long skinny triangle. It would taper so the tack may not need to move. The result being that the end of the boom would be higher when the sail was up. The length of the sail along the mast would be the same. This would likely be less costly, as it would only require a sail modification vs a sail and hardware modification. The clew would rise about a foot or whatever distance was necessary to give you adequate clearance. I assume you would just raise the end of the boom with the topping lift when you were not sailing. Would it be necessary to raise the forward of the boom? I guess it all just depends on how high and how far forward the bimini extends. Just a thought.

Either way it is doubtful you would notice much if any impact on performance.

[John #126]

Check the post and photos for the "CD 25D for sale in Hampton Roads VA" on the for-sale page. Looks like the guy did exactly that--raised the clew to clear a bimini.
Here's the link to additional photos: http://s946.photobucket.com/user/Topher ... t=3&page=1

[tjr818]

Instead of raising the boom, why not just cut a triangle shape off the foot of the sail. It would be a long skinny triangle. It would taper so the tack may not need to move. The result being that the end of the boom would be higher when the sail was up. The length of the sail along the mast would be the same. This would likely be less costly, as it would only require a sail modification vs a sail and hardware modification. The clew would rise about a foot or whatever distance was necessary to give you adequate clearance. I assume you would just raise the end of the boom with the topping lift when you were not sailing. Would it be necessary to raise the forward of the boom? I guess it all just depends on how high and how far forward the bimini extends. Just a thought.

Either way it is doubtful you would notice much if any impact on performance.

That is what we did for Sláinte when we had a new main built by UK Sailmakers. We had them raise the clew by 10".
10" x 11'-3" / 2 = 4.68 sq ft reduction in sail area, not enough to matter. It is real nice to no longer have to duck in the cockpit.

[Sea Hunt Video]

Raising the clew was suggested to me as well - I think by the "usual suspects" on this board.

I was tempted to do this. However, I did not like the way the mainsail looked when the boom was elevated at the clew. It seemed strange - at least to me a rookie. Also, I remembered from my first sailing class (2004) that the instructor said the boom should always be parallel to the deck/ocean. I am not sure I remember "why" but I remember he said "parallel to the deck".

Anyways, I now have a Bimini with standing head room. The only downside so far is that to deploy or fold back (fold up ) the Bimini I have to disconnect the mainsail sheet from the boom. This is because I wanted the Bimini to fold back towards the stern/back stay and not forward over the cabin hatch cover.

[rtbates]

I raised the clew only with good results. You can experiment while sailing by using the first reef to pull the clew up until it's at the height you need. Be aware that the clew will lower when the reef is put in, unless you raise the reef points(I didn't). Under reef the clew is raised higher than the STOCK non reefed position, anyway. Raising the clew helps keep from dragging the boom in the water when beam reaching in high winds and seas.

[Doug Daniel]

To John #126,

Just FYI........ I own the boat in Hampton Roads and the main has not been cut. I keep the boom raised in dock so I don't bang my head into it. Simple answer ! ! ! !

OH........ and my bimini is short. I do not have standing headroom under the bimini.

That is an option that keeps the sun off me and does not reduce the sail.

[Jeff G]

I sailed with Bob Dugan on his CD 25D Cricket. He had the raised boom configuration but no Bimini. The center of effort was a little higher which made it a bit more tender than my CD 25D with standard height boom. Overall it was a fair trade off for the head room. Bob may have a different opinion.