After thoroughly testing my new “I-boom” I have determined that I will never go back to a traditional design for formula racing. I have used the boom in 12.0 through 10.0 conditions in both flat water (12.0 in 6-12 mph) and high seas (10.0 in 20-30 mph, and 6+ foot seas). In all of these conditions, I found the I-boom to be more comfortable and easier to sail than my regular formula booms.
The idea came to me recently when sailing in light conditions trying to squeak more upwind angle out of my setup. I’ve been using a technique of taking my front hand off of the boom and holding the uphaul rope. This effectively opens the front of the sail allowing it to be more vertical, and also helps to close the gap. The drawback of the technique is that it requires good balance and in high seas is not practical. While practicing the technique, I asked myself what the boom geometry would be to essentially put my body and sail in the same position. Additionally, recently I’ve been primarily using an overhand grip for the front hand, and I was looking for a more comfortable grip.
A recent article in Windsurfing Magazine showed some images of ergonomic booms that also inspired some thoughts.
So, I ordered about $500 of carbon sleeves and epoxy and I started building. It took me about a week (the week my family thought I went missing). The boom ended up about 1.5 pounds lighter than my other booms. It has HPL and Epic Gear fittings, a Maui Sails head, Chinook grip only in the grip part of the boom and red hockey tape. The stiffness is similar to my HPL and Epic booms and it has the “I to I tested” label on it. (1 hour and 46 minutes of 20-30 mph winds, 6+ foot seas, 10 meter sail, shore break and all).
Here is my take on why I think the geometry is better than the current boom geometryMore comfortable hand position for the overhand grip. I can sail longer without fatigue. The grip area is also elliptical and conforms well to my grip. When I’m overpowered and trying to maintain control, I typically move my front hand forward on the boom to gain a wider grip. .jpg)
This however moves my body closer to the sail, since I have to follow the boom curve towards the mast and I lose leverage and effectively close the sail. The overhand position becomes increasingly uncomfortable and thus I go to an underhanded grip, which brings me even closer to the sail. On the new boom I can move my front hand far forward and maintain the leverage. My leverage doesn’t change for a large range of hand positions. In the gusts (25 mph on an 11.0) I was holding the boom right where it curves towards the mast. At that point, the boom is about 9 inches wider than my HPL, so I’m effectively about 4.5 inches further out. With this boom I can have a wider grip (distance between my hands), and still have the sail more open. I don’t get “stood-up” in the gusts as easily
With the wider grip and added leverage, it is easier to rake the sail back to close the gap. It almost feels automatic.
The boom is a little wider at the harness line (3/4 inch wider), so more leverage, but similar to my other boom and therefore feels very natural.
The boom is significantly wider where the sail touches first when the outhaul is released (about 2 inches wider just behind my adjustable outhaul cleats), so the sail is more full without disrupting the twist pattern of the sail for deep down wind angle.
