What is a boom on a yacht?
Boom. In sailing, a boom is a spar (pole), along the foot of a fore and aft rigged sail,[1] that greatly improves control of the angle and shape of the sail. The primary action of the boom is to keep the foot flatter when the sail angle is away from the centerline of the boat.
Why is it called a boom sailing?
Why is it called the “Boom?” The origins of the term “boom” in the sailing world are unclear. Some people speculate that the word came from the early use of Lateen rigs in the middle east, while others attribute the term to colloquial sailor-talk. Nonetheless, “boom” is a fitting name.
Why is a boom called a boom?
The word “boom” is the Dutch word for tree. German is similar: “baum.” Remember “O Tannenbaum,” a Christmas carol of German origin? From these roots, we get the word “beam” as in a long wooden timber, and of course, a part of a sailboat, the “boom,” that holds the foot of the sail and was traditionally made of wood.
What is the purpose of the boom?
In sailing, a boom is a spar (pole), along the foot of a fore and aft rigged sail, that greatly improves control of the angle and shape of the sail. The primary action of the boom is to keep the foot flatter when the sail angle is away from the centerline of the boat.
What is the purpose of a boom vang?
A boom vang (US) or kicking strap (UK) (often shortened to “vang” or “kicker”) is a line or piston system on a sailboat used to exert downward force on the boom and thus control the shape of the sail.
What holds the boom down?
The boom vang, kicking strap or kicker is an intricate set of pulleys (and, on yachts, a hydraulic ram) running diagonally between the boom and the lower portion of the mast. The kicker pulls the boom downwards.
What does a boom kicker do?
A boomkicker is a modern mechanical device on boats that pushes the boom up by one or more glassfiber rods. If the boom is sheeted in, the rods will bend and produce a force upwards. This provides several beneficial effects for the sailor.
What does booming mean in slang?
“Amazing” is the most common definition for BOOM on Snapchat, WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. BOOM. Definition: Amazing.
What does the vang do on a sailboat?
The vang allows vertical adjustment of the boom, and is an extremely important tool to shape the main for speed. Tension the vang to tighten the leech, flatten the sail and bend the mast. Cruisers use the vang to keep the boom from rising when sailing downwind and abraiding the main.
How is a boom attached to a mast?
Boom attachment The forward end of the boom attaches to a mast just below the sail, with a joint called the gooseneck. The gooseneck pivots allowing the other end of the boom to move freely. The clew (back corner) of the sail attaches to the free end of the boom.