More info please

[SailArkansas]

I almost never run downwind for fear of jibing. I do use controlled jibing when necessary but the idea of an uncontrolled jibe makes me really nervous. I saw the thread on the preventors recently but I was put off by the expense of the the more popular options.

Someone mentioned a figure 8 or belaying device and someone else asked why not use the mainsheet? Can anyone give me more information about either of these options? Maybe a rigging diagram? Thanks

 

[larryw]

Don't run DDW. It's slow and rolly. Head up a bit, put the wind on the quarter, pole out the genny to windward. No need for a preventer and it's faster, and with one or two chicken jibes, you'll beat the guy going DDW.

 

[sailaway78]

Downwind

Your situation may be different, as I sail in the gulf, but I very rarely sail directly down wind. It is a slower point of sail, and also for the reasons you stated. I have found that about 20 degrees off DDW will pretty well eliminate the possibility of an accidental jibe, and increase boat speed quite a bit. I am also quite frequently single handed, and am old enough to not want to have to work at it much. On the rare occasions when DDW is desired, I just use a piece of 3/8 line, tied to the boom end and toe rail. It doesn't take much to keep the jibe from starting, but once the boom gets moving, look out.

 

[Steve Dion]

Dutchman Boom Brake

http://www.dutchmanboombrake.com/

This is a lot more convenient than a preventer and easier to use.

 

[dscribner]

If I'm running DDW I use my vang as a preventer. If I jibe, I let it out as needed. It seems to work but I'm still green.

 

[Joe]

Loop a length of 3/8 inch line around the boom, somewhere between the vang and mainsheet. With each end long enough to reach either rail to a small block, placed about even with the mast, and then back to convenient cleats. Let it run loose, only use it when you need it as a preventer. When you jibe the preventers will allow you to control the swing to the other side.

After you use this system a few times you will gain more confidence with your jibes and will eventually learn to control the maneuver with your mainsheet. But the preventer can remain to avoid the accidental jibe. The cost is low.... just an appropriate length of line and a couple of small blocks shackeled or tied to the rail area.

 

[Seattle Scott]

I use Joe's system:

Loop a length of 3/8 inch line around the boom, somewhere between the vang and mainsheet. With each end long enough to reach either rail to a small block, placed about even with the mast, and then back to convenient cleats. Let it run loose, only use it when you need it as a preventer. When you jibe the preventers will allow you to control the swing to the other side.

the only difference is I don't use turing blocks on the rail, just shackles. In light air and alot of boat wakes, its nice to lock down the boom between the sheet and preventer so its doesn't bang around.

 

[kpgraci]

If I'm running DDW I use my vang as a preventer. If I jibe, I let it out as needed. It seems to work but I'm still green.

I'm not seeing how this would work at all. My vang in no way hinders the movement of the boom across the boat, and I'm pretty sure its not supposed to.

 

[sailaway78]

Vang as Preventer

You just unhook the vang at the mast, and hook it up to which ever rail is correct at the time. I just find it simpler to use a fairly light line to the rail when necessary. As said, I rarely sail DDW.

 

[SailArkansas]

You just unhook the vang at the mast, and hook it up to which ever rail is correct at the time. I just find it simpler to use a fairly light line to the rail when necessary. As said, I rarely sail DDW.

Man, that is excellent! Especially since my vang hooks to the mast using a snap shackle. How do you attach the vang to the track? I'm thinking I could snap the shackle around one of the braces at the base of a stanchion if nothing else. They should make something like a pad eye that rides the track but everything I see on West Marine's site is made for a block and is expensive.

 

[Noel Hasty]

On my Hunter 34, I run a line from the boom to a cleat that is just forward of the leeward jib sheet winch (which I never use for the jib sheets). This stops the boom from going all the way to the other side in an accidental gybe. I have used this arrangement quite successfully to gybe downwind. Like Nice N Easy, I rarely sail DDW.

 

[rardiH36]

I am wondering: To prevent an accidental jibe, we've essentially tied the boom off to one side of the boat using the boom vang. But what would be the outcome if the helmsman became unattentive, or the wind suddenly made a significant shift so that the mainsail sail becomes backwinded? Maybe no big deal if the wind is very light, but if stronger? Seems the boat might be in more peril than an accidental jibe?

My boom vang is also rigged to work as a preventer -- by moving the snap shackle attachment from the mast base to the toe rail. But from my once-only practice with it for this purpose, I wasn't comfortable with my boom being locked in place.

Another use for using the boom vang as a preventer is to hold the boom in place over the side of the boat, so the boom can serve as a MOB retrieval hoist.

 

[SailArkansas]

I am wondering: To prevent an accidental jibe, we've essentially tied the boom off to one side of the boat using the boom vang. But what would be the outcome if the helmsman became unattentive, or the wind suddenly made a significant shift so that the mainsail sail becomes backwinded? Maybe no big deal if the wind is very light, but if stronger? Seems the boat might be in more peril than an accidental jibe?

My boom vang is also rigged to work as a preventer -- by moving the snap shackle attachment from the mast base to the toe rail. But from my once-only practice with it for this purpose, I wasn't comfortable with my boom being locked in place.

Another use for using the boom vang as a preventer is to hold the boom in place over the side of the boat, so the boom can serve as a MOB retrieval hoist.

Using the boom to retrieve a MOB is a fantastic idea. I'll have to store that one for a day I hope never comes. I wish I could say my sailing is good enough to sail 20 degrees off DDW but I would still worry about an accidental jibe. I think I'm going to do the vang rigged to act as a preventer. I don't have a toerail but I found a track eye slide that should do the trick. This forum is just such a great resource. Thanks everyone.