[Rhodes22-list] Boom Room Syndicate

[William E. Wickman]

Put me on the list as a very interested party.  My thoughts to your
questions are shown below:





What do you want in your Boom Room?

The perfect Boom Room should be able to enclose the entire cockpit for
protection against wind, rain, and sun.  It should provide privacy yet have
the capability to be converted into a fully screened bug-free room with
lots of ventilation.  The sides should be removeable so it could be used as
a sun shade while at anchor.


What are the best features according to those who have them?

I don't have one, but see above.

Do we know anyone who could make up a bunch for us?

What are the design specifications going to be?


What materials should we use?

I would use the same materials that the pop-top enclosure is made of.


Should it be supported by poles from the bottom, or suspended by the
halyard from the top?

The less parts the better, so I would think that any existing equipment
such as booms, halyards, shrouds, etc. should be utilized where possible.
Whatever structure/support is used should be lightweight, but sturdy enough
to keep from collapsing under moderate wind.  We should probably look to
the backpacking tent designs for ideas.


Should it fit every boat, or require modifications for older boats?

I would think that every boat has the same basic cockpit size and common
elements such as shrouds, etc.


Should it require a Pop-Top Enclosure, or should it cover the Pop Top,
and replace the Pop Top Enclosure?

I view the boom room as an addition to the Pop-Top enclosure.  One may only
want to use the Pop-Top enclosure if they are single handing or just a
couple.  The two would need to be able to integrate, however.


Should it use the Bimini as support from below, making it more a Bimini
Room than a Boom Room?

That might be an efficient use of materials.  It does raise an interesting
question for those that sail with a bimini.  If the bimini is not used as
part of the boom-room, then what does one do with the bimini when the boom
room is set up?


Lots of possibilities.  Dave plans to get one, and so do I.  We're going
to spec out something now, and anyone is welcome to join in -- even if
you don't plan to buy one yourself.

Bill Effros

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