[Rhodes22-list] Boom Room Update Feb 3

[David Bradley]

Boom Room Project Update
February 3, 2003

I'll try to summarize where I think we are:

1.  Intellectual Property.  It's my proposal that we all assume we are
working pro bono on a project for General Boats, and that whatever we
create will turn into a GBI product for the Super Option List.  Stan
will own all the IP.  He will price the product.  If he chooses to
offer a discount to the boom room project participants, great.  If any
of us chooses to lay out money to get a prototype built, we can work
that out with the boss.

2.  Basic Boom Room Design.  It sounds like we are converging on the
key parameters as outlined, which are most simliar to Slim's boom room
as designed by Stan.  Specifically, the boom room is not integrated
with the Pop Top Enclosure; a roof panel is supported by the boom with
the assistance of a rigid frame; side panels snap to gunwale inside
rails and stays; front panel is forward of mast, aft of cabin hatches;
interchangeable side panels allow flexible set up, with choices of
solid, clear or screen panels.

3.  One work stream is to lock onto best fabric(s).  Stan felt sail
cloth would work, but is open to others.  He felt Sunbrella was
heavier and more expensive than needed.  Rip-stop nylon has been
suggested as well.  It seems that a next step would be to begin to
collect prices on different materials.  Any thoughts on how to go
about that?

4.  Next work stream is the frame.  This is where Stan was never happy
with his earlier efforts.  We have carbon fiber, aluminum, SS, and PVC
as suggested options.  One aspect of this I haven't seen in the
comments is the impact on visual design/aesthetics.  A metal frame can
be fabricated with the necessary bends to create a rigid, sturdy but
elegant design.  My gut feeling is that, with the highly evolved
design solutions in the R-22, we should create a boom room frame that
will enhance the lines of the boat -- even if it is just for camping
at night.  Also, Stan's "yoke" idea (were the JPEGs of that attached
in my post yesterday?) seems brilliant in a Spitzerian way.  The
downward pressure from the side panels under tension will clamp the
yoke to the boom and secure the roof.  We'll only get that kind of
elegant solution with metal, I think.  Or with metal fittings and
carbon/plastic rods.  If all metal, whether aluminum or SS is probably
an economic decision.  I think I'd try for SS to avoid pitting even if
more money and to have stronger fittings vs. aluminum corners.  For
next steps here, I'd suggest we keep this debate going for a bit and
then begin to explore vendors.  Does anyone have an idea for a metal
bender that could work on a prototype?  Comments on the benefits of
metal vs. plastic vs. carbon?

5.  It seems that we need to get the frame worked out before we go to
detailed specs and measurements on the fabric.  Though fabric
selection/weights might influence frame selection, we're probably OK
to assume lightest weight fabrics possible.

Comments?  Please let me know if I've not captured all the comments accurately.

Dave Bradley