Boom on a Tiki 31 wingsail

[Panu Väänänen]

In Tiki 31 there are booms on the mainsail and the mizzen sail (Wharram wingsail). Have you folks had problems with headsail sheets getting tangled with the forward end of the mainsail boom when tacking or gybing? And have you solved it somehow? Sailing boomless when tacking a lot? Just running to the mast to release the sheet every now and then?

There is beautiful Tiki 31 called Kagu on Facebook. In their photos and videos they sail without the mainsail boom. There is also a photo of a boomless Tiki 31 in this JWD article about the wingsail rig: https://www.wharram.com/articles/how-we-design/wharram-wingsail-rig

I'm somewhat inexperienced sailor and don't know too much about sail trimming. Probably we could try to sail without the boom, but I doubt if I understand aerodynamics enough to see all the pros and cons. 

[Ian R]

No mainsail  "boom"  on my Tiki 31, or on the Tiki 31 I sailed  on before building my own boat.

I had the sailmakers cut the main without the slot for the "boom".

Since I haven't sailed one with the "boom" I can't comment on whether it's better or worse!

[Panu Väänänen]

Thanks, Ian. Sounds like a boom/spar isn't necessary then. Got to try it. We sail on very narrow waters and tack all the time, therefore I'm worried about the aerodynamics and upwind performance.

Another idea is to have a shockcord led from a point above the boom slot and via the end of the boom to the mast foot. It might bounce off the jib sheet.

[Finn]

When I come to building my rig I will have a boom (and kicker) on the wing sail. From the photos I've seen of the boomless wing sail in action the shape on the bottom aft 1/3 of the sail is far from satisfactory. I satisfactory shape could be achieved boomless with the use of a 3D adjustable sheeting position like that used on the jib of racing boats but I think a boom is an easier way of doing it and allows for regular single line slab reefing.

That said, the bulk of my sailing has been racing dinghies and high performance mono hulls so I am a bit particular about these things.

[Ian R]

Have you been looking at wingsails on a single -masted  rig?

[Finn]

Both.

Ian R said:

Have you been looking at wingsails on a single -masted  rig?

[Ian R]

It will be interesting to know your results when you test your rig.

I have got a spare main and mizzen, both new, which I can experiment with if a better set-up is indicated.

It just occurred to me that I can use my spare mizzen as a "shorter" main in heavy weather, but I will need to make another gaff.

[Jose Alberto Garibaldi]

Panu - just read this. If you have your wingsails cut per the plans, the mizzen will end up being a bit too baggy without the boom. The main would be fine, albeit I believe it would be a bit flatter to windward if you do have a boom. It is worth considering, particularly for the mizzen.

[Panu Väänänen]

Thank you all!

I think we'll try both: 1) sailing without a boom on the mainsail and 2) rigging a shockcord to keep the sheet from getting snagged. I'll keep you informed, but probably this won't happen before June. Our waters are still frozen.

[Ian R]

I have been looking through my "archives" regarding this. I have an article written by P Le Maitre about his Tiki 31  Tiki Sunrise and sailing her. I sailed on this boat (c 1992) in one of the Guernsey/Jersey annual races, I think the race was called the "Grouse" as it was sponsored then by a whisky company.

The first leg (from Guernsey) was close-hauled to the first mark: we had full sail up, ie working jib, unboomed main, boomed (sic) mizzen. I clearly remember that we were matching a Contessa both in our pointing, and in our speed. We matched the (expensive, at the time) monohulls to the first mark, then the wind dropped right down from F4 to F1 and 2 dead behind. The big monos put up big spis, but we only had a cruising chute off Phil's previous Tiki 21 and we dropped back. This was televised and I later saw it on Channel TV, the local Channel Isles TV.

From that I saw how well the Tiki 31 could sail close-hauled. Here are some quotes from the article he wrote for Seapeople   entitled  "Sailing the Tiki 31": (this boat had Jeckells sails, like mine btw)

"I remember on one occasion taking the boat out in a F 5 -6 westerly... perfect opportunity to see what the boat would take and how many knots she had hiding up her sleeve. With only myself on board and full sail set I screeched up the coast on a reach, I can only guess at the speed.... I think 20 knots was reached ...

Windward performance is excellent. You would expect a schooner rig to be poor to windward - not so in this case. The Tiki 31 seems to point very high for a cat. In fact, earlier this year whilst attending the annual PCA meeting the Tiki 31 managed to outpoint two Tiki 26's and Jim's new Tiki 28 (sorry Jim)...I find when going to windward I have to sheet the traveller to windward to stop the main backwinding the mizzen.."

(This was with unboomed main).

Phil le Maitre has built and sailed 3 Tikis: Tiki 21, Tiki 31, Tiki 26. I think he is still sailing the 26. He built the 31 in 3 years, which considering the quality of the build, was a major achievement.