Upper gaff boom modification

[Tony Pratt]

I thought this would be great addition to the boom for strength. I just used aluminum bar screwed to the wood with a bead of adheasive to help seat it to the wood better.

[Frank Hagan]

Not a bad idea. Certainly can't hurt anything.

I don't know how much force is really exerted on the gaff; on my boat it seems to act more like a windvane along the length of it, with all the forces concentrated on the gaff jaw connection to the mast. But I don't really have any calculations to support that idea. I imagine if you employ a gaff vang you will have more stresses to deal with.

There is a designer who makes modern gaffers and uses a lightweight aluminum gaff to reduce weight aloft.

[kydocfrog]

Interesting point about the vang, which I am considering. I like the swivel support plate which probably actually has a nautical name. I'm going to really think about that.

DocA in Kentucky

[Dave R1]

Doc, that "swivel support plate" is called the tumbler. It provides a much larger bearing surface for the gaff jaws against the mast.

[kydocfrog]

Cool. I just learned a new nautical term plus what looks like a really good design detail.

Thanks all.