CD30 Cutter - Shortening the Boom?

[Chris Schnell]

To the collective body of experience and knowledge:
My girlfriend (a.k.a. First Mate-Dale) and I just returned from our first cruise on our new CD30 Cutter, MADNESS III. Aside from the 20 minute interlude of thunder and lightning and rain as we approached our marina destination (can't wait for our new canvas work to be done-full enclosure is planned), it was a wonderful cruise and MADNESS III handled fantastic! As with every cruise there are lessons learned and potential improvements noted. Being 6'5" and about 235 I stand tall in the cockpit behind the wheel and basically my face and the end of the boom could have an intimate relationship, we're that close. After staring at and around it for 6+ hours, and probably having too much exposure to engineering principles, here's my question: COULD THE BOOM ON MY 1982 CD30 CUTTER BE SHORTENED BY ABOUT 6-8" WITHOUT AFFECTING ANYTHING? HAS ANYONE OUT THERE DONE THIS BEFORE? I've looked at this real hard and don't see where it would affect any aspect of configuration or performance as the clew of the main is a good 12" away. This would also accomodate a clear view transition piece between the dodger and bimini that would have been fantastic the other day....there's something about being dry in bad conditions that makes it easier. So let her rip gang and tell me what you think or have experienced.
Thanks!

Chris Schnell
s/v MADNESS III CD30 #235
Southport, NC



swabbie@compaq.net

[Patrick Turner]

On the face of it, I don't know why this wouldn't work. However, if it were my boat I would consult a Naval Architect......just to be safe.

There's a guy in my marina (mechanical/electrical engineer) who used to sail an oddessy 30 which is an Alberg design very similar to the CD30....same long boom. Sailed it throughout the South Pacific. He wacked off over a foot from the boom, recut his sails and said it improved performance on all points. He knows what he's talking about....sailed for the US team for many years. Cape Dory's tend to have weather helm anytime your off the wind a bit so trying to move the center of effort forward can't be a bad thing.

Still....I'd consult an expert.

Pat



patrick.t@home.com

[J.Adams]

Another possibility is raising the boom. I have the original Ulmer main and it stops at least a foot from the top of the mast and there is about 14" to play with until you get to the sail track. This would also allow you to have a taller bimini.

There are many posts on this issue, arguments for and against. Search the board and you will see at least one big thread.

Jim Adams
Lauren Leigh
CD30 Houston, TX



jamespadams@yahoo.com

[D. Stump, Hanalei]

Chris,

I am just 6' tall, and whenever we are in a possible jibe situation or even sailing close hauled, I look at the end of the boom and just wonder what would happen to my mellon if I leaned forward just a little too much. I think you will get it when you least expect it! To me, awareness and constant vigilance are the fix. Don't know if you could cut it down or not. Maybe follow earlier recommendations. But, I would just WATCH OUT!!!

Dave Stump
Captain Commanding
s/v Hanalei CD-30

[John R.]

On the face of it, I don't know why this wouldn't work. However, if it were my boat I would consult a Naval Architect......just to be safe.

There's a guy in my marina (mechanical/electrical engineer) who used to sail an oddessy 30 which is an Alberg design very similar to the CD30....same long boom. Sailed it throughout the South Pacific. He wacked off over a foot from the boom, recut his sails and said it improved performance on all points. He knows what he's talking about....sailed for the US team for many years. Cape Dory's tend to have weather helm anytime your off the wind a bit so trying to move the center of effort forward can't be a bad thing.

Still....I'd consult an expert.

Pat

I have a 30 and I agree with Pat that you should consult a naval architect. From basically looking at the thing the first potential problem I see is it would move a masthead rigged adjustable topping lift to far forward at the boom connection and cause chafe to the main leech. If you have a pigtail topping lift off the backstay you wouldn't have that problem but you would have to re-rig that pigtail to extend it's length. An alternative would be a rigid vang.

I think the center of effort in the 30 is good just the way it is. I certainly prefer a little weather helm over any trace of lee helm so I would not be a proponent of changing the center of effort by shortening the boom and doing a slice and dice on the main. You need to consider your reefing system layout also. If you do cut the boom and sometime in the future you ever want to change to a larger sized main you would be dead. There's a reason that boom was designed to the length it was designed; if it were my boat I would leave it alone.

[Ed Haley]

I suspect that the additional "room" at the top of the mast or at the end of the boom are caused by sails that were cut a little too short. The dimensions of the mast and boom are designed with the boat for sail area and the best advice I've heard on this thread is to consult an expert in naval design.



eghaley@twcny.rr.com

[Boyd]

Until you decide if such a major change is in store buy a boom vang or preventer and use it. I always have mine set whenever there is the least chance of an accidential jibe.. It give me great peace of mind and I am much shorter than you.

Boyd

To the collective body of experience and knowledge:
My girlfriend (a.k.a. First Mate-Dale) and I just returned from our first cruise on our new CD30 Cutter, MADNESS III. Aside from the 20 minute interlude of thunder and lightning and rain as we approached our marina destination (can't wait for our new canvas work to be done-full enclosure is planned), it was a wonderful cruise and MADNESS III handled fantastic! As with every cruise there are lessons learned and potential improvements noted. Being 6'5" and about 235 I stand tall in the cockpit behind the wheel and basically my face and the end of the boom could have an intimate relationship, we're that close. After staring at and around it for 6+ hours, and probably having too much exposure to engineering principles, here's my question: COULD THE BOOM ON MY 1982 CD30 CUTTER BE SHORTENED BY ABOUT 6-8" WITHOUT AFFECTING ANYTHING? HAS ANYONE OUT THERE DONE THIS BEFORE? I've looked at this real hard and don't see where it would affect any aspect of configuration or performance as the clew of the main is a good 12" away. This would also accomodate a clear view transition piece between the dodger and bimini that would have been fantastic the other day....there's something about being dry in bad conditions that makes it easier. So let her rip gang and tell me what you think or have experienced.
Thanks!

Chris Schnell
s/v MADNESS III CD30 #235
Southport, NC

tern30@aol.com

[Ken Coit]

Chris,

Jim Sankey mentioned the idea of a bimini reef some time ago. I haven't tried it on Parfait yet, but it would seem to be a good way to test out the affect of less sail area without making any permanent changes. As it is, we cannot sail with the bimini up unless we want to be in ugly trim, so I plan to try it out on Parfait. If that works, I may raise the bimini a couple of inches to gain the head room I need to keep the bimini from taking the last bit of hair on the top of my head.

Let us know what you try and how it works out.

Ken
CD-36 Parfait
Raleigh, NC

To the collective body of experience and knowledge:
My girlfriend (a.k.a. First Mate-Dale) and I just returned from our first cruise on our new CD30 Cutter, MADNESS III. Aside from the 20 minute interlude of thunder and lightning and rain as we approached our marina destination (can't wait for our new canvas work to be done-full enclosure is planned), it was a wonderful cruise and MADNESS III handled fantastic! As with every cruise there are lessons learned and potential improvements noted. Being 6'5" and about 235 I stand tall in the cockpit behind the wheel and basically my face and the end of the boom could have an intimate relationship, we're that close. After staring at and around it for 6+ hours, and probably having too much exposure to engineering principles, here's my question: COULD THE BOOM ON MY 1982 CD30 CUTTER BE SHORTENED BY ABOUT 6-8" WITHOUT AFFECTING ANYTHING? HAS ANYONE OUT THERE DONE THIS BEFORE? I've looked at this real hard and don't see where it would affect any aspect of configuration or performance as the clew of the main is a good 12" away. This would also accomodate a clear view transition piece between the dodger and bimini that would have been fantastic the other day....there's something about being dry in bad conditions that makes it easier. So let her rip gang and tell me what you think or have experienced.
Thanks!

Chris Schnell
s/v MADNESS III CD30 #235
Southport, NC

parfait@nc.rr.com

[Chris Scheck]

I tell my guests there's only one thing on the boat that will kill you (besides the First Mate's cooking!) and that's getting hit with the boom. A little grim, but it's true. That's why I wonder why so little attention has been paid to it -- doesn't the government care about us? I tried some checkerboard warning tape on the end of our boom, hoping it might catch someone's eye before it caught the back of their head. (Yes, I am the guy who put red tape on the intake valve for the head.) But I've wondered about padding -- maybe a thick piece of pipe insulating foam would fit over the boom. I know it wouldn't look very nautical ... maybe someone could mold a nice boom boot out of vinyl covered foam, like a PFD? I also wrap a PFD around the end of the boom while we're at anchor to catch people's attention when they step into the cockpit.



cscheck@aol.com

[len]

chris

i use my boom as a pole to hold out the sheet of my cruising spinnaker when i am wing and wing with the yankee (which gets the spinnaker pole) - i wouldn't want to lose any of its length -

len



md.frel@nwh.org

[Olli Wendelin]

Gee guys, if you had a Ketch rig this wouldn't be a problem. My main boom hardy extends past the cabin. The mizzen mast and the dodger prevent anyone in the cockpit from getting in it's way. I do have the mizzen boom to contend with, but it is much smaller and slower. The end is behind the boat. Also I use an awning which prevents anyone from sticking there head up that high.

Olli Wendelin
BLUE MOON
Charleston, SC



wendelin@spawar.navy.mil