{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}} right|300px|thumb|A boomkin projecting from the bow of {{HMS|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.<ref name="Mayne 2018">{{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 }}</ref> Traditionally, it was a strong, usually wooden spar extending forward over the bow of a Western sailing ship holding a block through which the tack of the foresail was passed; on some modern sailing yachts with long main booms it is a short spar extending aft from the stern anchoring a central backstay.<ref name=Goodwin>{{Cite book | 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 }}</ref>
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 == thumb|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.<ref name=Goodwin /> * 1710–1730 CE: The first boomkins were generally {{convert|6|ft}} to {{convert|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 == {{reflist}}
== External links == * [http://smallboatrestoration.blogspot.com/p/drascombe-lugger.html Drascombe Lugger yawl]
{{Sail Types}} Category:Nautical terminology Category:Sailboat components Category:Sailing rigs and rigging