Clew to Boom

[BobT]

On my BRe there is no line from the clew round the boom so if you ease the tension in the out-haul the boom drops.  Coming from dinghies most have a bullet that runs in a slot in the boom to prevent this or on older styles you tied a line round the boom to hold the clew close. There is also the issue of loss of kicker tension if the boom drops. Are these points to consider for my BRe or this a marginal issue for those looking to get the last fraction of a knot out of the boat, oops sorry yacht!
Regards,

[Julian Swindell]

I fixed a short length of track to the clew end of my boom, and lashed a slider to the clew. This holds the boom up when I let off tension in the foot of the sail, which would dangle too low and hit my boom gallows otherwise.

[BobT]

Julian,
Thanks for the info, do you have any photos and/or details of what you used?
Cheers,
Bob

[Julian Swindell]

This is the best I can do. The track was originally for the jib blocks to slide on. It is about 18 inches long and just screwed onto the boom. The clew is lashed, tightly, to a slider and the outhaul tightens it up if needed. I don't actually adjust the tension all that much. In theory, if the winds are light, slacking the sail foot makes better use of the wind. In practice, if the wind is light I tend to put my feet up and have a cup of coffee.

[BobT]

Julian,
Thanks again and the photo is fine.

Anyone have a view on the benefits of keeping clew close to boom for a BRe as there is no risk of the gallows for me ... unless you speak to the better half !