by Capt. Flak » Sun Jan 31, 2016 10:34 pm
A rectangular cross section is perfectly fine, so long as the booms have no permanent bend to them. Not sure what you mean by getting higher at the ends. If you mean they gradually increase in height as you approach the ends, I would think that would be like a bend. However, if you mean there is a short section at the clew that sticks up above the main part of the boom for attaching hardware, I think that would be ok. I would have to see what you mean.
My booms are made from teardrop masts. The groove has been cut off the whole length of the boom except for about a 1/4 inch section at the clew. There I drilled a hole through the tract and inserted a carbon rod. The clew lines on the jib and main as well as the toppinglift on the jib pass around and under this rod and then back along the top of the boom to bowsies. Most all of the rigs that Reichard Kahle has made are done this way.
Joe Walter #24