When the Boom Bites Back
Learning to Sail at 65+ – Adventures on the River Thames
It’s one of those lessons every new sailor hears: “Watch out for the boom.”
And yet… sometimes the boom decides to make the introduction itself.
This week’s sailing session was going swimmingly—calm waters, light wind, and a fairly uneventful tack up the river. But then came the gybe.
Now, we had talked about gybing. We knew it meant the boom would swing across. But knowing and experiencing are two very different things. As the wind shifted and the stern passed through the wind, the boom came flying across with the grace of a falling tree—and just about the same level of warning.
A sharp thwack, a startled yelp, and a lesson firmly learned: never turn your back on the boom.
(Or in my case, never underestimate how quickly your wife can duck while you’re still pondering whether to.)
So, Why Does the Boom Bite?
During a gybe, the mainsail switches sides as the wind catches it from the opposite direction. Unlike a tack, where the boom moves more gently through the no-go zone, a gybe can be sudden and forceful—especially in stronger winds.
That horizontal pole we so lovingly call the boom? It’s not just there to bruise your ego. It carries real momentum. And if you're not ready for it, it reminds you the hard way.
How to Avoid a Surprise Visit from the Boom
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Announce the Gybe – “Ready to gybe?” gives everyone time to brace or duck.
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Control the Mainsheet – Pull in slightly before the gybe, then ease it out once the boom has crossed over.
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Stay Low, Stay Aware – Keep your eyes on the boom and your head out of its way.
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Practise in Light Winds – Gybing is much more forgiving when there’s not a force 4 behind it.
Gnav vs Kicker – Why We Love the Gnav on Our Dinghy
More Room, Fewer Ropes in the Face
If you’ve spent any time hunched over the centre of a dinghy, trying not to get whacked in the face by the kicker, you’ll appreciate the joy of a gnav.
Yes, that’s “vang” backwards—and for good reason. It does the same job as a traditional kicker (controlling the leech tension and boom position), but it does it from above.
🔧 So What Is a Gnav?
A gnav is a compression strut that pushes down on the boom from above, rather than pulling down from underneath like a traditional kicker.
✅ The Advantages of a Gnav
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More space in the cockpit
No kicker strut or tackle cluttering up the space between your knees.
Perfect when you’ve got crew, camera gear, or just long legs. -
Fewer ropes to trip over (or get hit by)
In gusty conditions, the kicker can flick up—right into your face.
A gnav sits out of the way, safely above head height. -
Easier to move around
Whether you’re tacking, gybing, or just trying to find a comfortable seat, the open space under the boom makes life a little less tangled.
🧭 Downsides?
Some sailors say a gnav can put extra strain on the boom, and adjustments can be a bit trickier mid-tack. But for cruising, learning, and teaching—especially with older or newer sailors—it’s a game-changer for comfort and safety.
Final Verdict?
For our RS Toura, the gnav means fewer bruises, fewer tangles, and more time enjoying the sail.
When you’re learning at 65+, every bit of headroom helps.
Sail smarter, sail safer—and let the boom do its job above your head.
Learning = Bumps + Experience
Yes, we got bitten. But we also laughed (after the initial surprise), shared tips with the others back at the clubhouse, and chalked up another sailing milestone.
There’s no better teacher than experience—preferably the kind that only grazes your head and not your confidence.
Because every sailor has a boom story. This week, it was ours.
#LearningToSail #BoomStrike #GybingGoneWrong #pmrsailing #RiverThamesSailing #SailingAt65 #UpperThamesSailingClub #GnavNotKicker #ComfortOnBoard #DinghyUpgrades #RS_Toura #UpperThamesSailingClub #DinghySailing
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