Padding on boom

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Gazza

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I'm still getting used to a smaller boat, with a much lower boom and the thought occurred that padding on the sides/bottom (of the boom) might be a good idea.

The obvious candidate is, I suppose, foam pipe insulation, but I'm not sure that this is sufficiently large to provide proper coverage. I'd like a neat and secure fitting - has anyone any ideas please?

I suppose that eventually the process of knocking my head on the boom will train me to keep my head down!
 
Extract from something i was reading-

The second leading cause of death on sailboats is the boom, he says. “When the boom swings across the deck and whacks someone in the head, that person can die from a severe head injury,” Nathanson says.

This type of injury often occurs because people don’t have expertise in sailing, he says. “It has a lot to do with understanding the wind and knowing how to sail. If you’re in the wrong place at the wrong time, you are likely to get hit by the boom.”

How about finding a company to make an inflatable boom surround?
 
How about just remembering to duck? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Nannying gone mad! /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
 
I seem to recall the RYA being vehemently against this idea a couple of years ago. Again, it was the 'learn to sail properly' reason given....

However, the context of the discussion was the MAIB Report on the death by head injury of a mature student, during a high-wind involuntary gybe, on Southampton Water. As memory recalls, the pro instructor failed to prevent the incident, for a variety of reasons, and the discussion centred around the merits of providing - in a training environment - some mean of protection from a known, multiple source of serious injury and fatality.

AIR, this place got quite vexed about the suggestion. The problem remains.....



/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
Unless you have a loose footed sail, you can't wrap stuff around the boom. The largest available pipe lagging may just "clip" around the bottom of the boom but is likely to fall off regularly given the handling a boom gets when setting & furling sails. You might try Evilsticking a section of lagging in place. It won't look good, and it may not last long, but if it saves a lump or two, who cares.

Or, approach the problem from the other direction and use a Bump cap on your (and relevant crews') heads. Cycling, Canoeing, Climbing, or even Builders' helmets are a relatively low cost option. This will probably lead to more bumps, but less damage as your heads will all be slightly bigger due to the headgear.

Darwin tells me that only the best survive . . . . /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
 
I once got hold of some self ad hesive foam gasket strip. It was used to seal flanges between air ducts used in airconditioning in large buildings.Came in a roll ,the strip was about 1.5 inch wide ,you peeled off the backing paper to stick it on.

I used it to increase boom diameter for roller reefing mainsail but it did soften one or two cracks on the head. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
".....Darwin tells me that only the best survive . . . ."

[/ QUOTE ]

So, my hyper-active friend, what does that say about me 'n thee....?

As for problems with padding the boom, there's *always* an answer. Thinking 'laterally', one could even Evo-stik some layers of brightly-coloured expanded neoprene on the heads of the vulnerable.

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
You want to do what is right for you sailing your boat and I would ignoe all adverse comments. One option is to raise the height of the boom.

Another would be to buy a couple of "swimming noodles", cut them in half lengthways and stick them to the boom. You might have to replace them every year but the cost is insignificant. I bought a couple on eBay a few years ago and at least one was a nice blue colour. Here is a link to one I have found but if you search further you will get different colours. The one shown has been tied up but they are about 5 feet long.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Swimming-Pool-Long...%3A1%7C294%3A50

Good Luck

PS Just thinking about holding them on. You could drill small holes through the boom and use cable tie, as well/instead of useing glue.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
".....Darwin tells me that only the best survive . . . ."

[/ QUOTE ]

So, my hyper-active friend, what does that say about me 'n thee....?(cut)
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif There's always an exception to every rule. Boom Boom! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
How about padding your head? E. G. cycling/horseriding/rock-climbing hat.

[/ QUOTE ]

Do keep up at the back there. I suggested THAT four posts ago. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif It always helps to read the whole thread before jumping in!
 
Just registered

boombra.com

expect tomake a fortune in the new 'ealth and safety culture!


ps dakine makes a boom bra for windsurfers to protect not heads but the board from boom damage.
 
Just a comment.

The padding you're looking for is something that will turn a fatal impact into a painful knock. Have a look at the hard plastic that covers the steel pillar on your car. Not the soft stuff on the outside - that's for decoration. It's usually rigid ABS plastic with an air gap.

How about plastic guttering under the boom?
 
My worry would be that by padding the boom you then feel that it's safe. Even well padded up it could still do serious damage if it gave you a good clout, even if it just made you an MOB. Also consider that the main sheet hitting you hard can be pretty serious.

I'd keep it as it is, perhaps move the boom up a little (as we did on out boat), but remain in fear of it!
 
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