Tony Pratt Posted April 13, 2005 Posted April 13, 2005 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. Quote
Frank Hagan Posted April 13, 2005 Posted April 13, 2005 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. Quote
kydocfrog Posted April 13, 2005 Posted April 13, 2005 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 Quote
Dave R1 Posted April 13, 2005 Posted April 13, 2005 Doc, that "swivel support plate" is called the tumbler. It provides a much larger bearing surface for the gaff jaws against the mast. Quote
kydocfrog Posted April 13, 2005 Posted April 13, 2005 Cool. I just learned a new nautical term plus what looks like a really good design detail. Thanks all. Quote
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