Boomkin

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title: "Boomkin" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["nautical-terminology", "sailboat-components", "sailing-rigs-and-rigging"] topic_path: "general/nautical-terminology" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boomkin" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a2/HMS_Surprise_(replica_ship)_port_side_8.JPG" caption="Surprise}} (in center of image)"] ::

A boomkin, bumkin, or bumpkin is a short spar that may project either fore or aft on a sailing vessel, depending on its function.{{cite book | last = Mayne | first = R. | title = The Language of Sailing | publisher = Taylor & Francis | year = 2018 | isbn = 978-1-135-96565-5 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=3nh0DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA34 | access-date = 13 November 2024 | page = 34 | title = The construction and fitting of the English man of war, 1650–1850 | last = Goodwin | first = Peter G. | authorlink = Peter Goodwin (maritime author) | year = 1987 | pages = 223–225 | publisher = Conway | place = London | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=ca1j_JcZdRUC&q=boomkin&pg=PA224 | isbn = 0-87021-016-5

Historically, boomkins were employed in pairs, one on either side of the vessel, often canted downwards over the main head-rail. Originally butted at their inboard ends against a knighthead, bolting prevailed since the end of the 18th century.

They are not to be confused with catheads, heavy wooden beams on either side of a traditional vessel's bow angled forward at roughly 45 degrees which support the ship's anchors when being raised or lowered.

History

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/26/Drascombe_Lugger_Onkahye_boomkin.jpg" caption="Photo of the mizzen sail boomkin on 1980 Drascombe Lugger Onkahye sliding gunter rig yawl"] ::

Traditional boomkins found on English sailing vessels gradually evolved from 1710 until around 1850.

  • 1710–1730 CE: The first boomkins were generally 6 ft to 8 ft long, usually square in cross section, untapered, at one inch in width per foot of length.
  • 1730–1780 CE: The boomkin grew longer, with an octagonal inboard end and a circular outboard end tapering to 3/4 its initial diameter by its tip.
  • 1780–1805 CE: The boomkin often became circular in cross section from base to tip.
  • 1805 CE: The boomkin's inboard end was made half-round and generally bolted to rather than butted against the knighthead. An iron band with eyelets for (typically three) boomkin shrouds was also introduced.
  • 1825 CE: The boomkin reverted to being square-edged, usually one inch wider than it was high. It also gained an additional eyelet for securing a slip.
  • 1850 CE and beyond: The boomkin began to appear at a vessel's stern to provide either an attachment point for a backstay or the sheet of sail flown from a mizzen mast.
  • 1967: Drascombe Lugger yawls designed with boomkins as an attachment point for sail flown from the mizzen.

References

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