Yes, the "gooseneck" on a Sunfish rig (which is what I'm using) is a
substantial bronze fitting that clamps to the boom and has a ring attached
by a swivel. The mast passes through the ring, and the ring allows the boom
to slide up and down on the mast. By loosening the bolt that secures the
clamp, the gooseneck may be slid fore and aft along the boom to change the
sail balance by varying the amount of sail area forward of the mast. I have
a quick-adjust, lever-cam type bolt on mine, identical to the ones used on
mountain bike seats.
The shower-curtain-type rings securing the sail to the spars limit the
amount of adjustment of the gooseneck along the boom. I believe racing
Sunfish sailors substitute ropes for the rings near the gooseneck to allow
more adjustment, and I may try that or some other quick-release gadget.
Generally I leave the gooseneck in the same position.
For some photos of lateen-rigged Potters go to
<http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/modifications/Variants/Lateen/Ppihlyrd.jpg>. Y
ou can see the gooseneck pretty well on one of the photos of Steve Barnes'
"Popeye." His sail is an Aquafin instead of a Sunfish and doesn't use the
"shower curtain rings," but the gooseneck appears to be the same as a
Sunfish type.
Harry Gordon
P14 #234, Manatee
Mountain View, CA
>Please excuse my lack of knowledge...but is a gooseneck attachment a normal
>fitting on a lateen rig? If so, is the gooseneck attached to the side of the
>spar, etc.?
>A dumb Okie wants to know!
>
>Bill Nolen
>Potterless
>Oklahoma City
