Boom question

[rtz]

What are these ridges for on the end of the boom;






photoupload

[gregnw44]

Those are called "Speed Ridges"... first theorized by an aeronautics engineer in the 70's. And now windsurfers going for records at the Speed Challenge in Luderitz, Nambimia have started using them on the front of their boom. The idea is that the ridges will "turbo-charge" the air flowing past the leading edge of the sail which will give you more power. Supposedly they even out wind that's very gusty, they can reduce the highest gusts by up to 25% and increase the lulls by 60%... so you have a net gain in power... and, smoother wind, which helps in all maneuvers.

The idea is trickling into recreational gear, and regular sailors are hoping for the same benefit. They are said to help people of all abilities improve faster, and reduce some of the frustrations.
* Help you learn waterstarts faster, cause they give your sail more power.
* Sail longer with less arm strain, cause they smooth out gusts and lulls.
* Reduce catapults.
* Increase speed to surprise your friends.

Let us know how you're doing with them!!
Greg

[ss59]

[Arrgh]

Is there somewhere I can get stick-on speed ridges for my existing booms?

[montignp]

sonic BOOM!!!

[gregnw44]

ss59 - You have a good guess about the Speed Ridges running the opposite direction on the Severne boom... that these ridges might work better in the S. hemisphere. But actually no, that's not the case. As you know Luderitz "is in the S. hemisphere"... so the original Speed Ridges have been tested most extensively there.
But I read somewhere that Severne is doing Speed Ridges in the opposite direction, to try and gain the same advantages while on port tack. This issue didn't originally manifest at the Luderitz Speed Challenge, because ALL speed sailing there is on starboard tack. But I heard that sailors didn't get quite as much benefit on port tack maneuvers and straight line speed in other places, as when they're were on starboard tack. So... good for Severne to push the envelope, and continue to strive for new performance !!!
Greg

[gregnw44]

[gregnw44]

rtz - Sorry for the silly and sarcastic replies... I don't usually do that... was just trying to be funny, LOL

Those are hard plastic ridges, on the front of that boom clamp... and they aren't for anything important.

Probably just a "look" or cosmetic detail, the boom designer was going for. They do form a kinda blunt smooth surface on the front of that boom clamp. And that might reduce damage to board's bow, if you get catapulted hard forward. Getting catapulted is a "thing" that will happen from time to time when sailing in very gusty conditions... and when learning and trying new moves. And damage often occurs to the bow, on fragile windsurf boards, when the rig catapults forward. A sharp boom front end, will increase the chance of damage. A blunt front end might reduce this somewhat.
I'm just guessing here, regarding this front end design.
Anyway, those ridges are not for anything important, for you, as you're learning how to sail.

[isobars]

Hook, line, and sinker.



Good one, Greg. I was just about ready to drag out my BS detector.