You are correct imported_Andy but you could just as easily rotate the mast 180 degrees and have the halyard on the open side. So that's not what I was looking for which is a rational sailing or rigging reason for the boom to be on the port side. No cigar iA.I guess if the boom was rigged to starboard, the sail would press against the mast on a starboard tack and against the halyard on a port tack.
I accidently did this on a very windy day last summer and as the haylard twisted around the boom, the tork was such that it ripped my bullseye of the top deck. By accidently, what happened was I failed to tie the mainsheet to the traveler and the sail swung around as I began a run down wind. I turned into the wind to allow the sail to come around to starbard side, and all the sudden I heard crackling. I was able to makeshift and sail that day, but later had my first try at fiberglass repair.Because they placed the bullseye fairlead on the starboard side and the halyard will twisted around the mast when you raise the sail if the boom is rigged on the starboard side.
Just out of curiosity - how is this a theological (i.e. religious) question? Do you perhaps mean theoretical? Not nit picking - just wondering what you really meant, if different than the obvious. Has to be one side or the other. Port was chosen. What difference can it possibly make since all hardware is placed accordingly?Dear Fellow Sunfish Enthusiasts,
Is there any reason for the Sunfish to be rigged with the boom to port? I know that the sail is full on the starboard tack and that on port tack the sail is pressed against the mast. And, of course, I also know that the influence of the mast on sail shape results in slight differences in how one trims the sails. But for the life of me, I cannot come up with a reason that the boom should be to the port side. If the gooseneck were rotated 180 degrees - relegating the boom to the starboard side - it would seem to me to be just as effective as being to port. Perhaps this is done because Alcort did all their brochures with the boom on the port side...
Anyway, what is your take on this great mystery? Inquiring minds want to know...
AQBill
I think you mean theoretical. Theological has to do with religion.Thank you all. I guess the location of the bullseye fairlead - whether intentionally or inadvertently placed - is the answer. Let's say, for the sake of discussion, that someone did show up at an official Sunfish regatta with the boom on the starboard side. Would this person be told to set it "right," or would he be allowed to sail? Furthermore, let's say that Mr. Wrong was allowed to sail with his backward rig and it turned out to be an advantage - pointing higher off of the starting line - would then everybody jump on the "wrong" bandwagon and start turning their rigs around? Like all theological questions, perhaps, and beldar boathead suggests, there is no correct answer to this mystery. Oh the humanity!!!
AQBill
I've a graduate degree in theology and am a neophyte Sunfish sailor. In my humble, yet very well-theologically-educated opinion, sailcraftri has the the answer with the greatest explanatory power, but I think hilulover's neo-Marxist (in literary theory terms; no accusation of socialism) answer suspecting political motivations is persuasive, too.
That’s a very interesting idea! As long as they are not enforcing class rules you’re good to go. I think you could successfully hoist the sail on the starboard side without changing the eye though, and there is no class rule saying which side of the mast the sail needs to go on.I am new to sailing and at 77 have a lot to learn and not so much time to learn it. I am somewhat of an analytical guy and wondered why the boom had to be on the port side. This thread answers that question. there isn't an obvious compelling reason. It is likely true that with the wind on the Starboard side will generate a tad bit more power than on the port side because of the mast interrupting the shape of the sail. I googled this topic for two reasons: (1) Is there a plausible reason why the boom is on the port side. From this thread the answer is no. (2) There is a nearby regatta that is a race around an island. There is one part of the race that is several miles long and pretty straight. Depending on the wind direction on race day it may be a significant advantage to have the boom on the other side. All that is needed is a fairlead or pulley (as on early Sunfish) for the halyard on the port side and flip the gooseneck.
What say?
Mr Mike