We are getting to know our NS26 as we sail in different conditions. One challenge is keeping the boom quiet when motoring in a rough sea. I’d love a boom crutch! So far the best I have is sheet in snug and secure to one side without a separate line. That helps, but there doesn’t seem to be a way to eliminate a bouncing boom with the mast flexing. Anyone have any additional tips?
In general, I’m pleased with how the boat handles for the size.
I’m assuming “without” is a typo? A separate line to secure the boom in addition to a tight mainsheet line is what I expect you mean.
Some folks have advocated as a further step adjusting the length of the sail lashing so that the boom locks against the mast at exactly the point where the sail’s as tight as you’d ever want it to be while sailing. That kind of precision strikes me as hard to achieve and maintain, though.
This has been discussed in the group before, but I don’t recall a consensus answer.
-- Bob
On my 33, we secure the boom to both aft corners. Two individual lines with carabiner hooks on both ends of each line. Connect those lines, one end to the end of the boom and the other end to the deck corner fitting. Raise the topping lift to snug things. Make sure the mainsheet is loose so that the load is on the restraining lines and topping lift.
Interesting points. Yes, that was a typo: with a separate line. Ward I’ll try that thanks.
I have only had my Nonsuch 30 Ultra about a year and have not been able to sell that much due to health issues but in my experience with the Nonsuch, as well as with other sailboats that I have sailed and owned I find that the best way to smooth things out is to motor sail. Not only does it settle down the boom it settles down the motion of the boat. Of course I don’t know how rough it is but in any case when it’s rough I’m usually reefed at least one Reef. Like Ward I have two lines permanently mounted on each Stern quarter with hooks to connect to the end of the Boom and I snug them up with the topping lift. I always unhook them before hoisting the sail.
Motor sailing is probably easier on the rig than motoring with sail down in chop.
As mentioned already limit sideways oscillations, if the sail is down, the stern quarter castings are prone to wear… I suggest inspecting them regularly for wear. Soave’s stern quarter castings are very worn where PO’s use metal hooks.
I avoid using anything that would cause further wear and at some point will probably try to repair them.
I made a post a week or so ago titled…. Motoring into a chop, I think. Allegro has the bridle set up to each quarter. So, those are hooked up and the topping lift is used to snug them up. Then the main sheet is also snugged up. The chocker (outhaul) is tightened and the everything you have tightens up on the topping lift. The boom doesn’t move, the mast doesn’t whip and progress is greatly improved.
On my NS 36, I do as suggested by NS 33 #8: 2 lines attached to both ends of the boat but I also add a rubber restrainer on each of those lines; same as the ones used on mooring lines. In very rough weather, with choker as tight as possible and a taunt sheet, I also attach rubber straps with hooks at each end in a criss-cross manner to wherever they can be attached. It looks like a badly decorated Xmas tree but the distribution of pull does the job.
Fernand Doucet
NS 36 #23
Picture may be difficult to see but from the end of the boom a snap shackle is snapped on. connected to the snap shackle is a small block and tackle with a jam cleat. Works great, just lift rig up and snap to boom end tighten with line fed through jam cleat. As well, except for leaving and arriving to slip, no one is allowed out of cockpit until that rig is in place, If you need close up pics, just holler at me.
