Boom Brake

[Bristol26]

I'm looking to purchase a Boom Brake system, there are several of them on the market. Dutchboom Brake, Walder Boom Brake, Gybe Easy and Anti-Jibe. Is one better than the other?

The Dutch, Walder and Gybe hang from the boom and the Anti-Jibe is attached to the sides of the boom and mast. Which is the better setup? or are they all the same?

 

[chuckwayne]

We've had the Dutchman on our boat for 2 years now (thanks,SBO!) and it's worked really well. easily adjusted to control the boom downwind, even in heavy winds. I'd buy it again

 

[Rick I]

Had a Walder for years. Very simple and works well.

 

[jsalley]

I have the Gybe-Easy. Works well, but the friction line gets stiff over time and needs periodic washing and/or replacement to keep it soft enough to work as designed. I have it set up to be entirely controlled from the cockpit, which is nice if you do much single handing.

 

[alexco38]

Black Diamond Super 8 Descender

Same principle as a Gybe-Easy which retails for $200+

A Figure 8 descender retails for $12 plus a mountain climbing rope at $3 a meter.

There are a lot more people climbing mountains than sailing ;-)

 

[Mike B1026]

Question - Figure 8

When using a "Figure 8" do you have the ends of the line attached to both sides of the boat or do you have it set up so that you can tension the line?

Same principle as a Gybe-Easy which retails for $200+

A Figure 8 descender retails for $12 plus a mountain climbing rope at $3 a meter.

There are a lot more people climbing mountains than sailing ;-)

 

[Stu Jackson]

Why not use your mainsheet?

 

[Mike B1026]

Back up

I think that's what most of us use but a boom brake is a safety backup, just in case something goes wrong.

Why not use your mainsheet?

 

[Bristol26]

Why not use your mainsheet?

how does the main sheet hold it back, it's attached to the block?? Something is needed to keep the boom from coming back at you...

 

[Bristol26]

Do the sheets going from each gunwale get in the way? Do you have to remove them or climb over them?

 

[Eirikur Brock]

I'm not sure if you purchased a system yet,but after seeing the Anti-Jibe at the Annapolis boat show we purchased one. We were only on our boat a couple times after installation, but the system is so amazingly easy to operate we engaged it every down wind run no matter how quick it was going to be (it even gave our 8 year old a "job" on the boat). Hope this helps, a preventer really is worth every dime!

 

[RichH]

Do the sheets going from each gunwale get in the way? Do you have to remove them or climb over them?

Yes they do, they add more clutter and 'trip-overs' to the deck and if you need to go forward on the 'wrong side' with a harness+tether on, you have clip off and clip on when passing the control line.

 

[Bristol26]

I did buy the Anti-Jibe and used it quit a few times, it's slick. Once it's on it's very easy to use.

Rich, check it out there isn't anything to trip over or unclip.

 

[rpwillia]

Alexco, Can you show how you hooked it up?

Same principle as a Gybe-Easy which retails for $200+
A Figure 8 descender retails for $12 plus a mountain climbing rope at $3 a meter. There are a lot more people climbing mountains than sailing ;-)

My head hurt for 2 weeks after getting hit with a boom on a gybe (was just stepping back into the cockpit from the foredeck when it happened - not fun. A picture would be worth a thousand words.

 

[Bristol26]

The gybe easy's rope get stiff and needs to be replaced, what tenision do you use when sailing.. I read about it and watch the video.. I didn't want to mess tensions or groves or anything. That's why I chose Anti-Jibe. Pull it and it's locked, open the rope clutch and the boom can move again..easy

 

[RichH]

The gybe easy's rope get stiff and needs to be replaced, what tenision do you use when sailing.. I read about it and watch the video.. I didn't want to mess tensions or groves or anything. That's why I chose Anti-Jibe. Pull it and it's locked, open the rope clutch and the boom can move again..easy

The Gybe Easy's control line is STIFF to begin with in comparison to a good kernmantle. I usually set up '2 loops' and moderate tension on the control end of the line for moderate+ conditions. I havent been in triple reef conditions since I bought it; but, in moderate conditions its 'adequate'. In ~F9+ I will still use an oldfashioned 'preventer' run to the bow. The benefit of such 'brakes' is that they dont take any effort to set up, etc. and its usually in 'normal' condition that one makes the most of the 'stupid' mistakes and gets bonked as the 'reward'.
It was when singlehanding at night and in low moderate conditions that I got knocked out by a boom ... and the boat simply sailed on all by itself and through the sometimes busy shipping lanes for more than an hour --- THAT episode convinced me of getting an easy to use 'brake' system.

Im 'into' mountain rescue, etc. and therefore I have experience in setting up such 'friction' devices; but, a CMI type 'rescue descender' (with 'ears') probably would have been a better and cheaper method. Ill probably change the stiff control line to simple 'kernmantle' climbing rope but it IS going to 'slip' a bit under severe impact loads. http://www.rescuedirect.com/Merchan...n=PROD&Product_Code=300850&Category_Code=Desc

 

[r.oril]

Boom Brake, don't leave the dock without it.

My wife almost got smacked by the boom on our first outing and now I have a Dutchman. I got it used here on this site and never leave the dock without it setup. Sometimes I will bring a line back to the winch to make the tention easier to adjust on the fly. I also raised the boom 4". Putting up the Bimini will also keeps the crews heads down.