Booms on the older trawlers

[Bigsfish]

Jack (Steve). I’m captain of nothing, just a boat chauffeur for our cook. See you in Ft Pierce.

 

[Built for Comfort Guy]

It is primarily for a staysail

Good afternoon
Still shopping for my trawler. I am holding out for a 38 aft cabin Californian.
While on my travels around the marinas I couldn't help but wonder how many use the booms on their trawlers. What are their main purpose? Do they actually lift a fair amount of weight?
thanks in advance
Jim

Besides lifting a dinghy, the actual purpose of the mast and boom is to mount a staysail which adds stability in a cross wind. Way better to have the boat lean slightly to leeward then to have it be rolly poley. It works very well for that purpose and can be used for emergency propulsion

 

[Bigsfish]

When used as a steadying sail it keeps the boat from hunting and faces into the wind.

 

[lipets]

Booms aren't always necessary for steadying sails.

Well if you want them work effectively they do need a boom, the boom stretches the foot to flatten the sail in your pic it is has deep draft with will induce heel




In heavy air, the flatter, more-open sections depower the sail and help keep the boat on its feet.


light air boom on center line.


If you want to see whats going on add tell tales, you will see the flow

 

[markpierce]

Tightening the sheet flattens the sail.

 

[lipets]

Tightening the sheet flattens the sail.

On the headsail along with halyard tension, you can't flatten the aft or mainsail that way with out a boom.


Not arguing with you but I've been sailing & racing many years


you need a boom and the outhaul adjustment.


the sail in your post#30 looks terrible