Sailmaking: The Art of Crafting Your Own Dinghy Sail. S3-E20

Рет қаралды 70,486

Жыл бұрын

Ever want to sew your own sail? Escape the ordinary with Boat builder, Bob Emser as he shows how to create your own dinghy sail. Making a spritsail is one of the easiest sail plans for a small boat. The spritsail is a four-sided sail that is supported at its highest points by the mast and a diagonally running spar known as the sprit. Follow along as Bob shows how to design, and sew the sail. In addition he creates the mast and spar for the spritsail plan for the dinghy "Victoria". The small 9' boat will be the tender for its mothership "Arabella" of Steve Denette's popular KZfaq channel Acorn to Arabella.
“If you’re going to make it, make it beautiful.”
Bob Emser
Interested in building a boat with me? Check out my online boat building course.
www.boatbuildingbootcamp.com
Subscribe for more Boat Building from The Art of Boat Building:
kzfaq.info...
Share this video with a friend:
• Sailmaking: The Art of...
How to support The Art of Boat Building.
Purchase Official Merchandise here:
www.bonfire.com/store/the-art...
Become a Patron:
/ theartofboatbuilding
Watch next
Recommended Playlists
Building Victoria. Arabella's Tender
• Season 3 - Victoria
Carvel Planking Playlist:
• Carvel Planking
Haven 12 1/2 Playlist:
• Season 2 - Haven 12 1/2
Tool Making:
• Tool Making
Let’s connect:
Facebook:
/ bobemseramericansculptor
Instagram:
/ artofboatbuilding
Linkedin:
/ bobemser
Bob Emser American Sculptor:
www.bobemser.com
#theartofboatbuilding #artofboatbuilding #makeitbeautiful#woodenboatbuilding #buildingasmallboat #buildingasailboat #shipwright #toolbuilding #Haven12 #herreshoff #shipwright

Пікірлер: 155

@BulletproofPastor Жыл бұрын

A sailor’s dog chewed the corner off his sail….. it left him clewless. Another great video. Thanks.

@francescosirotti8178 Жыл бұрын

This channel is almost therapeutic... The Bob Ross of boat building.

@jimaffinito1809 Жыл бұрын

100%. It lowers my blood pressure

@Slikx666 Жыл бұрын

Just not as many happy accidents. 😀👍

@misinformationwithrandy Жыл бұрын

The trees are just happy they're in one of these boats 😂

@billywhizz6483 Жыл бұрын

You've done a wonderful job, Bob. Something to be very proud of and good on you for giving your time to create this great little tender for Arabella.

@lanesteele240 Жыл бұрын

Bobs headstone when he passes should say. “Here lies a true craftsman and artist”.

@JimOHalloran Жыл бұрын

I just hope whoever gets that job gets the brief to "make it beautiful"!

@musicbro8225 Жыл бұрын

It's wonderful to see the whole process, including making the sails. I appreciate the demystification of boat building that Arabella and Victoria, or more correctly; Steve and yourself are providing. Victoria is one beautiful dinghy :)

@Dustmadeout Жыл бұрын

Thank you! Finally someone did the whole thing with explanations!

@TheArtofBoatBuilding Жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it!

@drop_dtuned6167 Жыл бұрын

Throughout your build series of Victoria and Skylark, there were preparations episode for later tasks. The bronze casting kept me in anticipation and so did the sail making. This episode was checking all the boxes for me. Well done!

@tomtruesdale6901 Жыл бұрын

What a wonderful job you are doing on that boat and thank you for the sail making class.

@cosmicinsane516 Жыл бұрын

Looking good, Bob. I laughed at 16:58, it was such a great example of how hard it is to film content building stuff.

@inventiveowl395 Жыл бұрын

My hands instinctively reached out to catch the camera xdd

@davem3789 Жыл бұрын

The drill sander concept is awesome!

@kathywrightjohnson6804 Жыл бұрын

Gosh Bob, is there anything you CANT do? I bet you even made beautiful kids! I am so impressed at how very skilled you are. I love that there isnt much you pass off to others to do on your boats. That is what a fine education will do for a person. Never stop learning.

@fredbelack5545 Жыл бұрын

He makes everything but the water-still editing that episode!

@latesailor1350 Жыл бұрын

Great video!!!

@keg1dog Жыл бұрын

Beautiful work Bob! If I can’t have an Arabella Friday, an Art Of Boat Building Sunday is a worthy substitute! Enjoyed seeing you at the launch and looking forward to seeing Victoria II at the boat show.

@TheArtofBoatBuilding Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

@chris9012 Жыл бұрын

Just last week I made some small storage bags for my camping gear with my cheap, small and underpowered sewing machine. I must admit, I didn't make it beautyfull. That machine of yours sure seems like a joy to work with. I saw the video of you and Steve rowing Victoria. Can't wait to see her under sail!

@JimOHalloran Жыл бұрын

Congratulations on Victoria's Honourable Mention at the Wooden Boat show Bob! She's a beautiful boat!

@TheArtofBoatBuilding Жыл бұрын

Thank you.

@charlesmoore456 Жыл бұрын

Whatever Steve is paying you to build that boat...it's not enough!!

@TheArtofBoatBuilding Жыл бұрын

Thanks. I wasn’t paid. It was my contribution to the project.

@fonhollohan2908 Жыл бұрын

Well done Bob, You've done a great Job on this Tender,, you really have.

@billlippincott3937 Жыл бұрын

I had the privilege of spending the weekend with Bob at the Mystic Wooden Boat Show. I can tell you his creation of Victoria and the sail are spectacular in person.

@TheArtofBoatBuilding Жыл бұрын

Thanks Bill, it was great meeting you and hanging out with you.

@rexmyers991 Жыл бұрын

You are truly a great craftsman and, a pleasure to watch.

@robertgroves6186 Жыл бұрын

So much talent in so many trades. An inspiration. Thanks for sharing.

@PaulJohnson-lm3if Жыл бұрын

Great to see progress on little Victoria. I also love the wooden floor in the guest house were you are assembling the sail.

@tmossberg Жыл бұрын

Another outstanding video, Bob I’m not a boat builder. I am a woodworker, and I enjoy how you get into the thought processes in the detail of your project. Looking forward to your next video

@TheArtofBoatBuilding Жыл бұрын

Thank you very much!

@krockpotbroccoli65 Жыл бұрын

If your a woodworker you can be a boatbuilder. Build a boat!

@tmossberg Жыл бұрын

@@krockpotbroccoli65 yes, I guess I’ve been thinking about building a strip built, snipe sailboat I would definitely need to get a set of plans though Not quite smart enough to come up with all of the geometry

@matthewmoore6223 Жыл бұрын

I wonder love to see a larger boat build by Bob.

@TheArtofBoatBuilding Жыл бұрын

Next boat will definitely be bigger than the tender. Two boats are in contention, around 20 foot in length. Too old and not enough time to build a Arabella size boat. I have too many small boats to complete on my list!!

@chrisleggatt3240 Жыл бұрын

I've been looking forward to this!

@rickestabrook4987 Жыл бұрын

What a treat, Bob. Never expected to see you making the sail. Beautiful work. I would have liked to see how the mainsheet is attached. Thanks

@TheArtofBoatBuilding Жыл бұрын

In upcoming video I will show how the sail is attached to the mast.

@Riprock296 Жыл бұрын

Your skills, patience and attention to detail is top notch! Amazing work!

@michaelkelley6158 Жыл бұрын

Thank you again for a wonderful video. I really enjoy your explanations and your craftsmanship. @20:01 I was glad to see I was not the only one who gets the cable stuck on something when trying to do woodworking. It put a fun smile on my face. Thanks for including that. Also, even though the boat is launched, thank you for continuing these videos into August. Have a great 4th of July.

@TheArtofBoatBuilding Жыл бұрын

You are very welcome

@MCsCreations Жыл бұрын

Amazing work, Bob! The boat looks stunning! 😃 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

@cadalot58 Жыл бұрын

Do your talents never end Bob? Now a sailmaker as well as a shipwright, I'm so looking forward to finding out how you get on creating the oars especially as you have never done this before. I have to say missing the A2A Video but so happy we have a couple more from you to help us with withdrawal symptoms.

@dwaynekoblitz6032 Жыл бұрын

I thought for a minute that you wouldn't make the sail. I thought he bought that beautiful sewing machine! Then it all came together. Glad you got to use your machine again. It sure looks very nice. And the sail came out perfect. Just as we've all come to expect. I'm envious! Lol, I've no idea how to sail. What a beautiful project this has been. KP I'm quite sure will be more than happy to assist with the rigging. Looking forward to seeing that as well! 💯❤️

@retiredarchitect3462 Жыл бұрын

Everything came together beautifully! I love the tenor detail at the base of the mast.

@kenthwangdotcom Жыл бұрын

Bob, you make every job look so easy . . . thank you, sir!

@JakobEngl 9 ай бұрын

Great video

@brendonnz1964 Жыл бұрын

Hello Bob, good to see that you have the Customary battle wounds on your hands whilst doing your projects.

@kimber1958 Жыл бұрын

Great job, Bob

@quarlow1215 Жыл бұрын

I love to see the process especially the jigs and things you make and use to achieve what seems an impossible task. Then when thats done, the beauty comes through to reveal this wonderful and functional peice of mastery.

@davidc6510 Жыл бұрын

Another beautiful job well done. I enjoyed watching you explain the steps of making the sail and seeing the Sailwrite (sp) sewing machine in action. Looking forward to the oar making video. Thanks for sharing!

@rossfudd256 Жыл бұрын

Bob, why no lock stitches at the end of each seam? What I mean by lock stitch is where you backup a quarter inch or so then stitch forward again before you cut off the thread.

@danielthackeray7798 Жыл бұрын

Lock stitches are not required where the end of the stitching is going to be overlaid with another piece, such as a hem. Where this overlaying doesn't happen the lock stitch has been done.

@rossfudd256 Жыл бұрын

@@danielthackeray7798 Thanks for the explanation.

@CANTORPASION 9 ай бұрын

thank You Sr .

@klaasvanmanen8214 Жыл бұрын

Because of Arabella, I have been following your channel for a while now. I didn't know about your parents though, but I hope they had a nice time in the house you built for them. I'm sorry they passed away but you must have been a wonderful son to them. It just puts another layer to the really practical examples and advises you publish in every video. Bless you.

@anthonyrondolino8148 Жыл бұрын

BRAVO! You made it very beautiful.

@williamparker8318 Жыл бұрын

Very Nice! I didn't really start sewing till a couple of year ago (64 now). Being a machinist by trade I've always enjoyed old machines and learning new tricks. Well I've learned a few new things today. Cheers.

@alanzelanski7288 Жыл бұрын

My wife and I really enjoyed seeing you and Victoria at Mystic Seaport. You do fantastic work. Very well done.

@cruzdelapaz8550 Жыл бұрын

Buen trabajo 👍

@johnlinehan9053 Жыл бұрын

Great video, looking forward to the oar vid!

@TheArtofBoatBuilding Жыл бұрын

Me too!

@OwenFromOhio Жыл бұрын

Always educational and entertaining!

@user-cb6wt2vb1v Жыл бұрын

The drill sander concept is awesome!. So much talent in so many trades. An inspiration. Thanks for sharing..

@earthfodder Жыл бұрын

Great video- thank you.

@SailingWithDave 6 ай бұрын

Incredible video, very well taught and thanks very much for sharing.

@mattevans-koch9353 Жыл бұрын

Thank you Bob for both supporting Acorn to Arabella and for the fantastic videos detailing the build of Victoria. Certainly a beautiful build.

@TheArtofBoatBuilding Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

@georgefrench1907 Жыл бұрын

Bravo!

@alice215 Жыл бұрын

I shouldn't be surprised. Of course you'd do this too. Brilliant and attention to details a constant. and btw no one else would I want to be stuck on a desert island with.

@BillChild2njoy Жыл бұрын

Really love you all... all 4 of you and feel blessed to be able to follow you day..week...month and several uears now i believe. You aleays have fun placrs to climb or eat even staying in the same local. Im excoted for your spteading canvas soon to other places of note. Loved you honest and individual appraisals of your floating homes ups and downs he he.. Your baby seems so well ajusted to the sailing life and a big part of that is because of how dedicated and caring you both are as parents under circumstances that few others might understand.. Bon Voyages to come for all !!!😊

@nathanbenton2051 Жыл бұрын

great stuff. this is so much better than my upcoming, diy polytarp and/or tyvek asym idea for my boat.

@romanmurillo1109 3 ай бұрын

Thanks indeed Bob for your comprehensive and clear explanations in your canal always enjoyable and entertaining. Particularly I found those sailmaking ones extremelly usefull to follow when I made the new sails to replace the old ones in my vintage massive radicontrolled schooner.

@dennisharrington3384 8 ай бұрын

Sir. Thanks. Ol’ man rant tale: my first and LAST endeavor at sailmaking involved my Sam Rabl “Teal” built from a library book (library? Anybody? Book? Anybody?). I already knew sails had airfoil. Got a tight weave from fabric store (used to not be in Walmart). Bemused MIL did all the sewing. Cut a NACA airfoil shape for the luff, reasoned that when I pulled it straight the shape would transfer to the body of the sail. It did! Did it sail? Let’s just say I’m a confirmed stinkpotter ever since.

@mrfish270 Жыл бұрын

So enjoyable to watch your process, Bob, as you skive into new territory. Calm, purposeful, helpful. Maker. Teacher. Brother.

@TheArtofBoatBuilding Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@citizenone3442 Жыл бұрын

Great job

@JamesFarrerInTheMountains Жыл бұрын

I love your motto, explanations, and willingness to share your experience. Thank you!

@TheArtofBoatBuilding Жыл бұрын

My pleasure!

@therexx891 Жыл бұрын

Great job, great series.

@TheArtofBoatBuilding Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoy it!

@michaelalexander4331 Жыл бұрын

great job!

@joecioe8566 11 ай бұрын

I think you will need a thumb cleat on the mast to hook the snotter to. Great job this has to be the first sail making video that I have seen. You always do such a great job teaching. Thanks Bob.

@calebbuswell Жыл бұрын

You make your own sails too??? Wow!

@gordon985 Жыл бұрын

I put together a kit for my Rebel 16 2 sails total 206.5 sq' was a lot of work. wish I had a neighbor like you.

@boomyclothing8789 9 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for making this video Sir. I really appreciate it. You did an amazing job! I live in Bali, Indonesia and i have a sailing catamaran. And i am thinking of having a sail making business in here because there's only one person does it here. I am doing my research on how to make sails properly. Can you please do a video on what sewing machines that are best for sail making, all the materials and how to measure a boat's sails. Thank you. Good luck and God bless 😊

@TheArtofBoatBuilding 9 ай бұрын

This is the sewing machine I use. How to Setup a Sail Making Sewing Machine, S2-E67 kzfaq.info/get/bejne/npmabMp43avVl4U.html I will be doing a couple of new videos on making the sail ( jib and gaff) for the current boat. So make sure you subscribe and request notifications. Thanks for watching! Bob

@steveboylan526 Жыл бұрын

Gotta say I like your watch.

@TheArtofBoatBuilding Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@benjyth Жыл бұрын

If you like that sewing machine flight case / road case, it is Sailrite's Ultrafeed sewing machine industrial carrying case. They sell it separately from their sewing machines for $245, and it looks like it has the standard hole and mounting hinges that pretty much every sewing machine has used for decades. I'd confirm before I get one, but it sure looks bog standard. It has custom foam inserts in the top to cradle their Ultrafeed, but those are easy enough to rip out and replace with ones that match your own machine. Just get some foam from a flight case parts supplier and cut to match.

@Nomadboatbuilding Жыл бұрын

I set up a long table when sewing the set of sails I just finished too. It can get to be quite a handful moving all that cloth through a small machine. I didn’t have the luxury of a big clean space to do mine however. Had to make do with my dirty crowded shop floor. Worked out in the end just the same and the wind blew the dirt right away.

@robertbamford8266 Жыл бұрын

Eager to see how you contour the oar blades.

@Slikx666 Жыл бұрын

Now im really thinking about making a RC sailboat. If i had the time, tools and the plans I'd make Arabella and Victoria. 🤔

@leohorishny9561 8 ай бұрын

What I find interesting about this sail plan is, in the caption for a spritsail very similar to these dimensions, it’s mentioned that this sail is seen cut with horizontal or vertical panels but that Sailrite says it should be made with vertical panels.🤔 I haven’t seen why one orientation of sail material is better than the other.🤷🏼‍♂️🤔

@sartorst3376 Жыл бұрын

Slacker. Considering you made the tools to make the boat why didn't you make the sail cloth 😂 😂😂 Another good one Bob

@drop_dtuned6167 Жыл бұрын

I had a hearty chuckle reading your post. It reminded me of a line by Clint Eastwood in Outlaw Jose Wales, “a man’s gots to know his limitations”.

@koningbolo4700 Жыл бұрын

Lucky you, you get to work with the great K.P. ...

@TheArtofBoatBuilding Жыл бұрын

You got that right!

@koningbolo4700 Жыл бұрын

@@TheArtofBoatBuilding (me a bit jealous of you) I hope she recovered well... I wish her all the best with her health and her new channel...

@pollelibre2649 Жыл бұрын

Hello… really enjoy your videos… the slow pace makes it easy to understand what you're doing… I'm interested in your sewing machine. Could you give me the maker name and where it's made or even the web site… thanks…

@TheArtofBoatBuilding Жыл бұрын

It is a Sailrite. Made in the USA. You can view it at Sailrite.com

@pollelibre2649 Жыл бұрын

@@TheArtofBoatBuilding thanks for the info Bob…

@thomasarussellsr Жыл бұрын

I know there's no oak in the tender. But there should be an acorn imprint on her sail. Even if her name is Victoria, he could still say I'm taking the Acorn to Arabella. 😊 Then have a Oak tree on the main sail of Arabella with her name proudly displayed under the oak on the mainsail, as well as the tail, since she has no transom.

@thomasarussellsr Жыл бұрын

Please pass this idea along, if you think it's a good one. Thanks Bob.

@charles.neuman18 Жыл бұрын

Great episode. Can you talk a bit about the sewing machine? It looks very smooth and sturdy. I have used a cheap machine in the past that would jam up a lot, especially when used on thick material (like sail cloth). Did this one jam up at all, or is it really as reliable as it looks?

@TheArtofBoatBuilding Жыл бұрын

Check out an earlier video S2-E67 kzfaq.info/get/bejne/npmabMp43avVl4U.html In this video I show how the sewing machine is set up.

@rutgerw. Жыл бұрын

A joy to watch! You are making it look a lot easier than it probably is. Is it tricky to properly allign the pannels as they are 3D curves or does that sort itself out as you go? Quite brave of you to recut one of the corner patches, wouldn’t the shape be slightly different once the sail takes on its actual shape?

@TheArtofBoatBuilding Жыл бұрын

Checking and adjusting the patch is a step described in the Sailrite directions for the sail. Thanks for thinking I was brave. I was just following directions.

@paulosilva-dm1qb 19 күн бұрын

Talking about corner..Wasn´t it advisible to reverse the sewing at the corners just for reinforcement?

@jackkorovev5217 7 ай бұрын

Thank you for this valuable information! I struggle to find that kind of rubber/foam brush for painting or gluing. Can you share the name, if you don't mind? Cheers

@TheArtofBoatBuilding 7 ай бұрын

Hi Jack, I've used many brands and most fall apart. The brand I like is Jen. It preform very well. Here is a link: www.amazon.com/Jen-Poly-Foam-Brush-Handle/dp/B00745VZYY/ref=sr_1_7?crid=3ATHL3EXQMIUG&keywords=jen%2Bfoam%2Bbrush&qid=1703783540&sprefix=%2Caps%2C114&sr=8-7&th=1 Thanks for watching! Cheers, Bob

@caleblawman4630 Жыл бұрын

Would it be beneficial to use a spinnaker sail for a small skiff?

@plainnpretty Жыл бұрын

Looking good Bob . It’s getting close to being done are you going to work on the ice boat for your next project?

@TheArtofBoatBuilding Жыл бұрын

The ice boat belongs to my friend Steve. He has it ready to go, unfortunately we did not have enough ice last winter. We are hoping to take her out next winter, hoping for ice!!

@plainnpretty Жыл бұрын

@@TheArtofBoatBuilding ok thanks

@barneygoogle4003 Жыл бұрын

Nice work. Interesting to see how a sail is shaped by sewing panels together. Is that sewing machine designed for heavy materials or is it a general purpose machine? Did you already have it before starting your boat building projects?

@TheArtofBoatBuilding Жыл бұрын

The machine in a heavy duty machine designed for sails. I purchased it for this and future sailmaking.

@johna1160 Жыл бұрын

22:40 Ouch!

@aknorth1053 Жыл бұрын

Quick question, fro. what I could see there wasn't any back sticking to locking the end, how to you secure the threads at the end to prevent unraveling?

@TheArtofBoatBuilding Жыл бұрын

All of the ends get hemmed and stitched which locks them in. I did back stitch on the on the hems and luff support.

@PaulJohnson-lm3if Жыл бұрын

Also: am I right that this is the rig used by the children in Arthur Ransome's Swallows and Amazons series?

@TheArtofBoatBuilding Жыл бұрын

Hi Paul, It is very close. Ransom’s Swallows is a Lugsail. A lugsail, is a fore-and-aft, four-cornered sail that is suspended from a spar, called a yard. When raised, the sail area overlaps the mast. So the main difference is the placement of the spar, at the sail head in a lugsail and diagonal for the spritsail. Cheers, Bob

@renatoboro194 2 ай бұрын

Good morning. Do you know somewhere where I could download the project to sew a size 5.7 sail in the classic windsurfing style one design windsurfer?

@TheArtofBoatBuilding 2 ай бұрын

Sailrite will design any sail from a sail plan.

@jameslarson6555 Жыл бұрын

I may have missed it but what type of wood were the spars made from?

@TheArtofBoatBuilding Жыл бұрын

Spruce

@Vendelcrow1948 Жыл бұрын

On my 7 meter wooden double ender I have two rows of metal rings with a bit of rope on both sides on the main sail. This is of course for to make the sail smaller, if the wind is strong. I noticed that you did not make this, however, it could of course be done later ,if need be.The tender looks very nice, and how many kilos does it weigh?? Regards, Mikke

@TheArtofBoatBuilding Жыл бұрын

About 35kg without the tiller/rudder.

@christophergoodwin-qo7tg 2 ай бұрын

Very informative, thank you, where are you located?

@TheArtofBoatBuilding 2 ай бұрын

Illinois, USA

@TheArtofBoatBuilding 2 ай бұрын

Illinois, USA

@eudespontesmagalhaesjunior3807 7 ай бұрын

Did the software that presented the sail measurements use a calculation based on Gaussian curvature?

@TheArtofBoatBuilding 7 ай бұрын

I don’t know. That would be a question for Sailrite’s sail designer, Jeff Frank. Easy to find contact information on their website.

@eudespontesmagalhaesjunior3807 7 ай бұрын

I'm reading a book about sail physics and I learned that the shape of sails is calculated by Gauss' teachings. Thank you so much.

@doughackett695 Жыл бұрын

Is there a place I can buy a similar mast support like the one you made and attached ( frame 22:37 on video) Thanks Also I can not hear what you are calling it. Nice video !

@TheArtofBoatBuilding Жыл бұрын

Hi Doug, It is called a mast partner. I don’t know of any source for one like it. Are you located in the continental United States? If so I could print one for you. It would be in PLA plastic which is plenty strong for the task. If you interested email me ( email in the about on my channel) Cheers, Bob

@doughackett695 Жыл бұрын

@@TheArtofBoatBuilding Amazing that you made one. I made a makeshift sail yesterday to sail downwind just for fun in the 18ft motor boat I built. Instead of a a mast partner I used a pipe strap. It worked great and I cruised along for 5 miles. It will be fun to design and make a real sail for my next trip or make an actual sail boat. I'll stay in touch.

@veleiroema Жыл бұрын

Hello Mr. Bob, I think you have already informed what kind of material is used in the sail, but I did not find this information in other videos, I would be very grateful if you could inform me what kind of material this is, I am building a vleleirinho and, for the opportunity of I'll start sewing the sail, thank you and good winds!

@TheArtofBoatBuilding Жыл бұрын

4oz Dacron.

@veleiroema Жыл бұрын

@@TheArtofBoatBuilding thank you very much

@gerardvila4685 Жыл бұрын

Sorry if this is a stupid ignorant question, but should the design of the sail take the gaff into account? I didn't see the gaff in the simulation of the sail in action, is this deliberate?

@TheArtofBoatBuilding Жыл бұрын

This is not a gaff rigged sail. It is a spritsail where there isn’t a gaff boom. In some spritsail rigging there can be a boom. This sail is a loose foot design so not boom. I went with this configuration for easy storage and quick installation.