Ralph Hopkins and Mike McHugh have their Ariel, TARA, docked at the New Orleans municipal yacht harbor. They report that although the harbor was completely wrecked by hurricane Katrina, TARA escaped harm except for the loss of her bow pulpit and the running light on top of the mast.
Ralph reports that TARA's sailing rig has been extensively modified both for comfort (sun protection) and to make for easy handling. For sun protection, her main was cut down 4-1/2 square feet (from the top), raising the boom 14 inches up the mast. This added height above the deck allows the boom to clear the Bimini they installed for sun protection. The boom was also shortened five inches to help it clear the split backstay. The boom, however, is still too long to pass under the split backstay when the backstay is loose running down-wind. A limit vang, much like a martengale on a horse, prevents the boom from going too high and striking the tight backstay.
Reply With Quote