To weak mainsail boom on the 47?

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   A friend of mine broke his mainsail boom during a gybe in 16 knots wind, which should not be specially much. He thought that this was a little strange. After some investigation with Sparcraft he found out that the boom was under dimensioned. The boom was designed for a maximum 45 sqm mainsail. On the Hanse 47 the sailarea is 67,5 sqm (727 sq ft). It could be that Hanse is trying to save some money here....? The repair cost was about 10.000 euro by the way. 
He also found out that several other Hanse 47 have had the same accidents. He will know replace the boom with the right dimension according to Sparcraft.
He will strongly advice to use a BoomBrake that basically adds a friction system to keep the boom from slamming over. Anyone else experienced any problems with the boom?

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Timeout Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Lieutenant Joined: 01 October 2009 Status: Offline Points: 28	Post Options Post Reply Quote Timeout Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: To weak mainsail boom on the 47? Posted: 29 December 2009 at 13:54
	A friend of mine broke his mainsail boom during a gybe in 16 knots wind, which should not be specially much. He thought that this was a little strange. After some investigation with Sparcraft he found out that the boom was under dimensioned. The boom was designed for a maximum 45 sqm mainsail. On the Hanse 47 the sailarea is 67,5 sqm (727 sq ft). It could be that Hanse is trying to save some money here....? The repair cost was about 10.000 euro by the way. He also found out that several other Hanse 47 have had the same accidents. He will know replace the boom with the right dimension according to Sparcraft. He will strongly advice to use a BoomBrake that basically adds a friction system to keep the boom from slamming over. Anyone else experienced any problems with the boom?
	Timeout Hanse 470e

panos Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral Joined: 02 March 2008 Status: Offline Points: 1939	Post Options Post Reply Quote panos Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 30 December 2009 at 09:41
	Hi, Boats with a center boom main sheet (like the 470) are vulnerable during violent jibes. Jibbing should be performed with great care. Unintended jibes can lead to boom brakes more often than boats with end boom sheeting. Building bomb proof rigs is not the answer (IMHO of course). There are boats in the market that are build heavier than the Hanse (Amel is the best example). Boats are not different to cars : Ferrari's, MB's and Grand Cherokee's are build for different users and all of them are very successful.
	Panos Hanse 630e - selling her -

Steen & Anne Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commander Joined: 27 October 2009 Status: Offline Points: 129	Post Options Post Reply Quote Steen & Anne Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 30 December 2009 at 11:18
	Hi. I read an article about the new Xc42 from X-Yachts and the mast builder (John Mast DK) especially stressed out that it is nessesary to built a stronger boom for center boom main sheet control. That they have done for the Xc and not just mounted a std. boom from the X40/X43 and so should SparCraft and others.
	Former Hanse 342 owner - now racing a H-Boat

David Ericksson Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Sub Lieutenant Joined: 30 December 2009 Location: Stockholm Status: Offline Points: 14	Post Options Post Reply Quote David Ericksson Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 30 December 2009 at 17:32
	My boom has also bent at the sheet point, see picture. And I have not made any yabes. Can anyone verify that it is underdimensioned, Sparcraft?
	David Hanse 470, Prima Donna

Timeout Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Lieutenant Joined: 01 October 2009 Status: Offline Points: 28	Post Options Post Reply Quote Timeout Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 30 December 2009 at 20:16
	Hi I'm not sure if he got the info from a Sparcraft dealer or from Sparcraft head office. But if this is true, I think Hanse is saving money on the wrong parts... It should not be so difficult to verify. And if this is the case, I would have tried to get this on the guarantee. Hanse should take the responsibility. This is also a matter of security.
	Timeout Hanse 470e

superliga Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Rear Admiral Joined: 25 April 2008 Location: Copenhagen Status: Offline Points: 590	Post Options Post Reply Quote superliga Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 31 December 2009 at 00:39
	@ David, Your boom looks like it hit the standing rig or maybe the sheet was to loose ant the main part of the sail pressure was on the touch point on the standing rig? I'm no expert, but i would assume that a boom bended due to under-dimension alone would also point upwards and not only show horisontical damage.
	PEARL - S/Y SUPERLIGA - HANSE 470 e - Hull #168 - hanse470.com

superliga Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Rear Admiral Joined: 25 April 2008 Location: Copenhagen Status: Offline Points: 590	Post Options Post Reply Quote superliga Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 31 December 2009 at 00:46
	@ Timeout When i gybe i always sheet the main in as far as i can before gybing. This reduce the distance and speed of the boom. If you don't do that you can breake any boom. Are you sure your friend sheeted before gybing?
	PEARL - S/Y SUPERLIGA - HANSE 470 e - Hull #168 - hanse470.com

panos Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral Joined: 02 March 2008 Status: Offline Points: 1939	Post Options Post Reply Quote panos Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 31 December 2009 at 10:21
	@Pearl, You are right! Owners who upgrade to a big Hanse without some(?) racing experience face these difficulties. The Hanse boats carry a lot of canvas and in that respect they are racers. My 630 weights 25 tonnes and has an upwind sail area of 210m2 (with 100% jib) . This compairs with a Hallberg Rassy 54 with 26 tonnes and only 157m2 (with 100%jib) or 181m2 with a 140% genoa. It is obvious that the Hanse will be MUCH faster but also more delicate to handle.
	Panos Hanse 630e - selling her -

Gran Onada Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Captain Joined: 14 November 2008 Status: Offline Points: 169	Post Options Post Reply Quote Gran Onada Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 31 December 2009 at 10:42
	Don't you think in this case a boom brake is almost mandatory?
	Gran Onada IV - Hanse 350 #130

Timeout Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Lieutenant Joined: 01 October 2009 Status: Offline Points: 28	Post Options Post Reply Quote Timeout Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 31 December 2009 at 16:50
	I agree. I also always sheet the main in as far as i can before gybing. But we all have experienced uncontrolled gybes. 16 knots downwind should not be any problem concerning uncontrolled gybes. What is the facrt here is that Sparcraft say that the boom is dimensioned for 45 sqm sailarea and not 67. That is a huge difference. In the car industri the manufacturer would call all the cars back for an upgrade.
	Timeout Hanse 470e



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