[Rhodes22-list] Critical Standard Mainsail Standing Rig DimensionsFor Rhodes 22

[Richard Smith]

<The aft end of the boom would have to rise up by 107 inches to hit the
backstays
This is a very extreme angle for the boom & highly unlikely >

Unlikely ... yes but I saw it happen...

Years ago in Huntington L.I.  A brand new Cape Dory-38 was on its maiden
sail.  As delivered the boat did not have a vang.  The new unskilled owner
accidentally gybed the boat.  Since he was running in relatively light air
he had slacked the mainsheet to the point that the boom was rubbing up and
down on the aft lower shroud.

When the boom started across (slowly) no one had the presence of mind to
throw it over or sheet it in!  As a result the aft end of the boom rose to
an extraordinary height and fouled the backstay.

Of course no one aboard thought to fall back on the original point of sail
to clear the mess so they sat in the middle of Huntington Bay looking
ridiculous!

Richard Smith