Reducing Friction on Clew Tie down

S

SailorT

New Member
I've heard that people are using some kind of tube around the mast to reduce friction on the clew tie down. I was told that this allows the clew to slide easier on the boom when adjusting the outhaul. Is anyone using this kind of arrangement. If so do you have any pictures and specifications?
 
SailorT said:
I've heard that people are using some kind of tube around the mast to reduce friction on the clew tie down.
Click to expand...

Presuming you mean "some kind of tube around the" boom... and that the follow up post was referring to the nice picture of the boom sleeve that John Christianson has developed...

First, if anyone is currently racing with any kind of boom sleeve then it is illegal at this time (the sleeve is illegal, the hook and block aren't).

Second, the boom sleeve shown in the picture has now been rather extensively tested by some 10-15 people around the North American Region with very positive results. In my experience (on San Francisco Bay) it works amazingly well, to the point that it can't really be conveyed just how much better the outhaul system could work until you try it (think of adjusting the outhaul while sailing upwind in a big breeze without having to put your body into it). I've also had a sleeve sitting on a spare boat's boom all summer and I'm not seeing any wear on that boom or other adverse effects.

The plan is to submit this to the World Council at their meeting in Fortaleza next month as a new "optional" builder supplied part. If the World Council approves it (they had questions they wanted answered on it last year so not a given that it they will approve it this year) then it would go to a vote of the ILCA membership. If approved there then it has to then get approved by ISAF before it could become legal.

Which means that I'd not start looking for something like this for at least a year in the very best case.

Tracy
 
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