[Rhodes22-list] Boom Room Syndicate

Fri Jan 27 15:08:30 EST 2006

Todd,
I suspect it's not that expensive to do what you suggest.  I dropped a suggestion a few months ago on a basic design that Rodger Rookey, distinguished alum, has seen, but had no feedback from list members.  I have designed sunbrella top, stretched above the boom, no clips wanted or suggested.  Parallel SS tubing on either side, fore and aft, and lightweight matching ripstop on curtains.  I don't like the 1" PVC for my own boat.  It can be shifted along the boom, and having the 175 Genny makes it possible to sail well without the main.  I haven't found potential problems to this point.  Cheers,
Art

-----Original Message-----
>From: Todd Zumach <zoomerzx at gmail.com>
>Sent: Jan 26, 2006 9:38 PM
>To: The Rhodes 22 mail list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Boom Room Syndicate
>
>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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