Hi, introducing myself, I've had some problems getting onto the forum, now sorted. I'm a long-time Swallowboats fan, building a Storm Petrel in 2004-05 (or was it a year earlier?): she must be from almost the last of the old design kits? She is, nautically speaking, the love of my life, an absolute stunner (as an Italian gentleman with no English said, when he saw her on Lake Garda last summer - "una bella bella barca!!!").
1) This is probably one for Matt? I have wondered off and on, since I built her, whether I have slightly overdone the rake of the mast. It looks - well, splendidly rakish. Questions - i) how can I check? (I've long lost the template I used, but might be able to do another from the instruction manual). ii) From a design point of view, why rake the mast? iii) What effect would an over-raked mast have on sailing characteristics?
2) This is possibly of general interest. Encouraged by Nick Newland, I made a curved sprit boom. I wasn't entirely happy with it (mainly, the curve was in the wrong place, appearance-wise), although it worked very well. So I did another, and while I was about it I made a full wishbone. Lots of extra problems, but the end result looks very elegant, and sets the sail beautifully. It hasn't been tested in action yet, but I don't foresee problems. I very much doubt whether it will make any measurable difference to performance, but it's fun. If anyone is interested, I can provide more details, and I hope to be at the Swallowboats/Drascombe rally on 28-29 June.