Shroud line and boom crutch questions

[One Way David]

I have some questions, if anybody cares to comment, regarding this boat in Sailing, June 2011, pg 51.

1. What is the purpose of the inter-shroud lines on this pic. The white line weaving between, I think an upper and lower shroud. Old rigs had something similar to assist climbing the shrouds, but this doesn't look like that.

2. Is that boom crutch a common way to park the boom?

[Skipper599]

Other than a deterrant to "stuff" getting caught between the shrouds, i have no other idea. - - - As for the boom crutch, this is most common on smaller boats. I had such a crutch on my "Cygnus" day-sailer, also on my "Shark" - both boats were designed by Geo. Hinterhoeller. It does the job and worked well.

[Hirilondë]

Other than a deterrant to "stuff" getting caught between the shrouds, i have no other idea.

This is all I can think of, but not so sure what would get caught there.

Lots of older boats used boom crotches. Almost all Concordias have gallows or boom crotches. Sometimes the crotch is located at the aft end of the house where is can be better supported and out of the way.

[One Way David]

Bob and Dave, thanks for the reply. I had thought of a stuff-getting-caught preventer, but I just don't have the experience to know. I've never caught my genoa there but, again... I still wonder about climbing. It looks like it would be painful.

I have seen many variations of the boom gallows but this looked like a neat idea. I think these boats are 30-40'. This looks small, simple, removable (albeit something else to stow) and manageable by one person.

Dave.

[Skipper599]

Dave, if you look at the boat behind your featured vessel, you'll see another common boom support, that being 'crossed poles' - - - even more stuff to stow!

With regard to your original question, my wife who is usually very practical but laso has a bit of an artistic streak suggests the simple reason "decoration" - - - who knows, she may be right.

Oh to be able to own and afford such a lovely day-sailer. btw, what make/class is that beautiful boat in your photo and where is that location?

[Brodie]

If the boat is rigged with a spinnaker (and I do see a track on the front of the mast), the lines might help keep the chute from getting tangled up between the shrouds on hoists and drops.

[One Way David]

Bob, Brodie, thanks.

This and others are R-class wooden boats featured in the ASA Sailing magazine mentioned above. N. Herreshoff developed the rules along the line of J-class. The boat I show is Lady Van. Links to 3 current R-class boats.

Detailed restoration site;
http://www.r-boat.org/
Includes the original architects drawings;
http://www.r-boat-aloha.ca/
The lightest and fastest, so far;
http://www.ladyvan.com/

No smurf to Bob's wife, but I'm gonna go with Brodie on this. Lady Van was rebuilt to maximize it's racing capabilities so I doubt that decoration would be that elaborate. Does look cool though.

Brodie, if it had been a snake, I'd be bit. I did not even see that crutch in the background. When hauling my boat I use an ugly pine crutch to hold the mast and was surprised to see that one would be used as a routine.



Dave.