[Rhodes22-list] Boom Room Syndicate

[Slim]

Todd,

Yep, I have Fandango and I bought the boom room second-hand from another
list member and it fit just fine on my boat--hence my comment that one size
fits all.  

I think integrating the BR with the PTE is a great idea.  It would require a
smaller frame and less material but should serve the same purpose.  But
personally I don't like the idea of a bimini because I don't want to deal
with the frame when not in use.

As for the bump-out captain's seats--the side panels snap down on the rails
on the INSIDE of the stern pulpit but on the OUTSIDE of the rails so it
doesn't matter if you have that feature or not.  Again--one size fits all.

If you want a bimini when you sail, that's one thing.  But I see the boom
room as another thing.  It's an extension of the shelter of the cabin for
dining, sleeping, hanging out or whatever when you want to be out of the
weather.  I don't think it needs to be a bullet-proof structure in high
winds.  If the wind picks up, you should always batten down the hatches and
prepare for the worst.  I guess my boom room is good up to about 20.
Anything above that and I would be scrambling to take it down and drop the
pop-top and hunker down.  Same goes for the PTE.

Slim
S/V Fandango

On 1/26/06 8:38 PM, "Todd Zumach" <zoomerzx at gmail.com> wrote:

> Slim,  is your boat the "Fandango"? I have a bunch of pictures of that fine
> vessel with a boom room that sounds suspiciously like what you described.  I
> especially like the idea of sail slides to support the roof (although I have
> to admit I did not notice them in the photos until I read your post).  I can
> appreciate that as an owner of a current boom room, you would not be
> interested in a bimini.
> 
> I am enamored with the concept of a multi-functional boom room.  While at
> this time I don't see myself in the market for one, I have spent a few too
> many hours thinking about the boom room concept and it's relationship to a
> bimini and the pop top enclosure.
> 
> My take on the concept is that it should strive to emulate Admiral Spitzer's
> multi-use attributes of many of the other features on our boats.  A
> "modular" boom room that has functionality as a bimini (that can be used
> while undersail) and that interfaces (or perhaps doesn't need to) with a pop
> top enclosure would provide the greatest flexibility for the skipper and
> crew.
> 
> If those were not lofty enough goals, I have a few more suggestions that
> could be thrown into the mix.
> 
> First, the structure should be built with stainless tubing so that it is
> strong enough keep the bimini open while sitting at port when those breezes
> come up that would tear off an aluminum frame (that happened to my boss'
> fishing boat this summer).
> 
> A second goal of this design would be that the skipper would be able to sit
> on the gunwhale or in those wonderful optional skipper's seats whether the
> bimini/boom room is up or down.
> 
> Third, most of our vessels are equiped with a set of long genoa car tracks
> (I have seen pictures on the web with the bimini attached to the genoa
> tracks). The genoa tracks could be used to allow flexibility in fore/aft
> movement of the structure. For example, the bimini function could be set
> with the structure slid to aft to provide skipper with maximum shade or
> forward to give the crew better shade. Further, it would be great if the
> bimini structure could be closed and tipped to the stern (inside the stern
> rails) and come to rest along the inside edge of the cockpit/transom wall.
> This would solve the problem of what to do with the bimini on those days
> when it is not desired. One concern with this proposed design is that those
> boats with the gunwhale mounted skipper's chairs may present an interference
> problem. Perhaps the bimini frame uprights could have a curved contour that
> would provide clearance around those seats.  I have a 1986 model with the
> "old" design straighter stern railing that is mounted on the outside of the
> gunwhale wall.  As such, as I have thought of using a stainless or aluminum
> plate in order to offset the seat from the straight stern rails.  The bimini
> frame could possibly slide just behind my skipper's seats (assuming I get
> around to adding them).
> 
> Fourth, our boats have nice strong stern rails.  A bimini/boom room that
> attaches to the stern rail would have an extra level of sturdiness. Perhaps
> a separate overhead rail mechanism could be used when you want to "expand"
> the bimini into the boom room.  You could slide the bimini forward to
> interface with the cabin wall or pop top enclosure (with a interface panel).
> The rear rail could be a segmented device that stores under the cockpit
> seats. When attached to the stern rail this mechanism could provide the
> extra head room to allow a person to sit in the skipper's seats.
> 
> I like Slim's idea of using sail cloth to reduce weight.  It might be
> interesting to have heavier "bimini" material like Sunbrella, that could
> stand up to being exposed to the weather all the time and lighter material
> that is used for the sides, rear "expansion" panel and the front expansion
> panels that would interface with the cabin wall or pop top enclosure.  It
> goes without saying that this "ultimate" bimini/boom room would have screen
> and/or clear panels for some of the side walls that could be zipped into
> place.
> 
> Finally, the bimini structure should be as tall (off the cockpit floor) as
> possible. At 6'4" I am sensitive to such things. It would be great to not
> have to stoop while in the cockpit.  I assume that the bimini would only be
> used when the boom is in the highest position.  Although I haven't sailed in
> any real "blows", I have utilized the boom in the lower position to decrease
> the center of effort.  I figure that if the wind is blowing so hard that I
> would want to lower the boom, I would have already lowered the pop top and
> dropped the bimini to reduce windage.
> 
> I know, there are a lot of expensive ideas found above.  But hey, I guy has
> to dream!  I look forward to reading your responses (Bill and MJM please be
> gentle on me).
> 
> Todd Zumach
> 
> On 1/26/06, Slim <salm at mn.rr.com> wrote:
>> 
>> I have a boom room and like it a lot.  We discussed this last summer and I
>> posted a load of pics.  I'll post them again if anybody needs them.
>> My comments below:
>> Slim
>> 
>>> I don't think we will ever have the volume to justify Chinese
>> manufacture.
>> 
>> I agree.
>>> 
>>> What do you want in your Boom Room?
>>> 
>>> What are the best features according to those who have them?
>> 
>> The best feature is the shelter it provides.  We've dined and slept in the
>> cockpit during heavy rain and have been very comfortable.  Mine covers the
>> entire cockpit with standing head room, it goes over the pop top and the
>> sides snap on the outside of the toe rails so it encloses more than the
>> pop
>> top enclosure--that is, it covers the side decks. However, that makes it
>> harder to go from the cockpit to the bow and there's an issue with the aft
>> lower shrouds.  But it has versatility galore.  We can use just the roof
>> for
>> a sun shade or we can add the side panels for more protection and privacy.
>> The sides have either solid or screen panels (although I wouldn't say it's
>> completely bug-proof).  If I remove the rear panel I can stand up on the
>> laz
>> hatch and tend to the barbeque mounted on the stern pulpit.  We can even
>> sail with it set up but only downwind on the jib alone.
>>> 
>>> 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?
>> 
>> Mine is white dacron sailcloth which I like very much.  I think if you
>> made
>> it out of canvass it would be too heavy and bulky to stow and not any
>> sturdier than sailcloth.  Ours folds up to a bundle about the same size as
>> our pop top encl.  Also it's stuffable if you don't want to fold it.
>>> 
>>> Should it be supported by poles from the bottom, or suspended by the
>>> halyard from the top?
>> 
>> Mine hangs from the boom.  You rotate the boom so it's upside down and
>> slide
>> the roof tabs into the slot.  There are five tabs are just standard sail
>> slides stitched onto the roof piece.  Then the roof is spread out by a
>> grid
>> of 1" pvc pipe and the side panels hang down from the edges.  The side
>> panels are attached to the roof with either zippers or strips of velcro.
>> The grid all comes apart and stows easily and the pieces are easily and
>> cheaply replaced if broken.  I admit the grid is a little clumsy to set up
>> and the girls don't bother with it when I'm not there.  With their help,
>> we
>> can set it up in about 20 minutes.  By myself I can set it up in 15.  8-)
>>> 
>>> Should it fit every boat, or require modifications for older boats?
>> 
>> I'm unaware of any differences in the basic dimensions of hull, cockpit,
>> pop
>> top, mast step and boom.  One size fits all.  (But I could be wrong.)
>>> 
>>> Should it require a Pop-Top Enclosure, or should it cover the Pop Top,
>>> and replace the Pop Top Enclosure?
>> 
>> I still use the pop top enclosure by itself sometimes.  The PTE is great
>> and
>> much easier to set up when you don't need the big room.  We usually set up
>> one or the other but both can be set up.  Sometimes we set up the PTE and
>> later decide to set up the BR.  There's no need to take down the PTE
>> because
>> the BR sets up over all that.
>>> 
>>> Should it use the Bimini as support from below, making it more a Bimini
>>> Room than a Boom Room?
>> 
>> I, for one, don't have a bimini and don't really want one.
>>> 
>>> 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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>> 
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