We’re anchored off the beach at Sanxenxo. This is an open roadstead, exposed to the Atlantic from the south, which right now is quiet. There is a long period small swell sweeping in which does not affect us. But the shorter period power boat wakes, of which there are a multitude, excite our hull. Hence the booms are deployed with flopper stoppers for the first time in two years.

We’re often asked why we have these big booms. They perform a number of important functions. They are used most often for launching and retrieving dinghies. The booms are easier to control and more reliable than cranes (lifting is done with a self tailing electric sheet winch).

Their second job is as shown, with flopper stoppers off the ends in less than optimal anchorages. They reduce roll period when deployed underway by virtue of their added polar moments.

Then there are two back up functions. Should the active stabilizer system ever fail we can trail stabilizer “fish” off the boom ends. Finally, they are an integral part of the get home sail system.

The booms also give us a modern look, akin to the Open 60s, which are in Sanxenxo for a leg of their race around Spain (or maybe they give the Open 60s an FPB look). These are the ultimate monohull sailing machines and and for those of you who are hard core we’ll have a photo report on their fascinating rigging details in as soon as we get a moment to process photos.