Reefing with a sliding gooseneck

[We2Sail]

By way of explanation, since words often fail, here is a "tiny URL" to photos of the assembly.

http://tinyurl.com/3axgrz

[ Long form URL ]
http://www.sailboatowners.com/upload...0926465&fno=17

The only detent stop is in the upper position. There is no stop in the lowest position.

With "Full Sail" up, the head is very close to the sheave (as would be expected) and the boom is pretty much in it's lowest position. There is no option to raise the boom up except when it's time to reef. First reef the boom goes up and the head of the sail comes down.

Second Reef (Buzzards Bay, MA) the head of the sail is reduced further. There is no 3rd reefing point.

Wave dipping: I had not thought about that as a feature, to prevent or reduce the boom tip from dipping into the waves.

The comment: Main Halyard is the ideal topping lift? Why would that be? I had the impression that the topping lift was for boat builders who didn't want to spend the money to add a rigid boom vang or some other such amenity (or a boom crutch) ? ?

We may get to see some of these ideas in action. Wind forecast is 10 - 15 on the bay.

Thanks for the ideas,

Bob