I'm curious what those of you who do offshore sailing do about the possibility of accidental gybes. Do you use a boom brake? A preventer? After reading up on them, I like the idea of the boom brake, and the one by Witcher sounds pretty clever. Do you think it's worthwhile to have one of these or something similar?
Boom brake?
- Thread starter John
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John
I don't think a boom brake is near as big a deal offshore as inshore. When offshore, as a very general rule, you are on the same tack for hours, maybe days. When running, I just use a preventer, made from a piece of rope, and a shackle. I have a slotted alum. toe rail, so it is very easy to just clip it on. I really believe in the KISS theory.
I don't think a boom brake is near as big a deal offshore as inshore. When offshore, as a very general rule, you are on the same tack for hours, maybe days. When running, I just use a preventer, made from a piece of rope, and a shackle. I have a slotted alum. toe rail, so it is very easy to just clip it on. I really believe in the KISS theory.
My current 'experiment' -
www.ems.com/catalog/product_detail_square.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441775051&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302875261&bmUID=1208525761111 This is a 'rescue' descender that can provide adjustable friction when run to a clutch or cam cleat. Used the same as most boom brakes. The problem with most brake systems is the control lines that are easy to trip on when going forward. The best system probably is still a rope vang that has a detachable block system ... just disconnect from the mast base and reattach it to the rail, etc. For long passages I prefer to run the preventer line from the bow (using the asymmetrical spinnaker tack line) back to the mid boom as such will let the boom rise if it hits the water; pinning it to the rail prevents the boom from rising if it attempts to go underwater hence its easier to break a boom this way. I agree with Nice N Easy, as inshore the conditions always seem more variable ... unseen boat wakes, raging water currents, etc. added to high chop can make life unpleasant. Ive been knocked out once with a boom and once 'zippered' my main ... broke all the damn slugs during an accidental gybe making the mainsail into an instant 'spinnaker'. Still, I only use a preventer 'sometimes' in boisterous conditions, and usually when running along on auto pilot.
www.ems.com/catalog/product_detail_square.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441775051&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302875261&bmUID=1208525761111 This is a 'rescue' descender that can provide adjustable friction when run to a clutch or cam cleat. Used the same as most boom brakes. The problem with most brake systems is the control lines that are easy to trip on when going forward. The best system probably is still a rope vang that has a detachable block system ... just disconnect from the mast base and reattach it to the rail, etc. For long passages I prefer to run the preventer line from the bow (using the asymmetrical spinnaker tack line) back to the mid boom as such will let the boom rise if it hits the water; pinning it to the rail prevents the boom from rising if it attempts to go underwater hence its easier to break a boom this way. I agree with Nice N Easy, as inshore the conditions always seem more variable ... unseen boat wakes, raging water currents, etc. added to high chop can make life unpleasant. Ive been knocked out once with a boom and once 'zippered' my main ... broke all the damn slugs during an accidental gybe making the mainsail into an instant 'spinnaker'. Still, I only use a preventer 'sometimes' in boisterous conditions, and usually when running along on auto pilot.
I don't like boom brakes
I have had two. One each of two different sizes, and sold them to someone who wanted them. I found they were too finicky. Too tight and you have to readjust them to jibe, and too lose they don't work very well. I prefer to use a preventer. Joe S
I have had two. One each of two different sizes, and sold them to someone who wanted them. I found they were too finicky. Too tight and you have to readjust them to jibe, and too lose they don't work very well. I prefer to use a preventer. Joe S
The ability to adjust the main is more
important than a silly brake, just another thing to go wrong. Learn to gybe properly and to rig a preventer.
important than a silly brake, just another thing to go wrong. Learn to gybe properly and to rig a preventer.
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