Currently I use a line from aft of the boom to a bow cleat as a preventer on my Beneteau 361. Has anyone done anything a bit more elegant and convenient?
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Closed loop preventer.
Stan, I made this closed loop preventer on my 361 that has served me well in the past 3 years and was approved by the inspector before the 2003 Marion Bermuda Race. As you can see from the picture (which showes the preventer not in active use), the blue line starts at the boom on the same point that the main sheet attached to the boom. From there, the line goes to a snatch block on the rail and to a second one attached to the eye were the spinnaker downhaul would be attached before it goes back to the cockpit via free pulleys on the organizer. The line goes through a clutch into the cabin and, after leaving a loop of 15 ft, the line returns via a second clutch back to the boom via two equivalent snatch blocks. When in use as a preventer, unless the wind is low, the clutches are always left open and the line is wrapped 4 or five times around the winch and left free to fall down on the companion way. In the case of an accidental jibe, the line slides on the winch and slows down the motion of the boom without preventing it completely. After the jibe, the now windward line is unwrapped from the winch and the leeward end wrapped back on the winch. A KEY POINT IS TO MAKE SURE THAT the helmsman DO NOT JIBE back before the preventer is re-deployed. The clutch can be locked temporarily if the winch is needed for a different use. The clutches are very handy to keep the boom in the center when not sailing. One extra bonus of the system is that during low to moderate wind conditions it can also be used to help and control a jibe without having to bring the main all the way in. Hope this helps.
Stan, I made this closed loop preventer on my 361 that has served me well in the past 3 years and was approved by the inspector before the 2003 Marion Bermuda Race. As you can see from the picture (which showes the preventer not in active use), the blue line starts at the boom on the same point that the main sheet attached to the boom. From there, the line goes to a snatch block on the rail and to a second one attached to the eye were the spinnaker downhaul would be attached before it goes back to the cockpit via free pulleys on the organizer. The line goes through a clutch into the cabin and, after leaving a loop of 15 ft, the line returns via a second clutch back to the boom via two equivalent snatch blocks. When in use as a preventer, unless the wind is low, the clutches are always left open and the line is wrapped 4 or five times around the winch and left free to fall down on the companion way. In the case of an accidental jibe, the line slides on the winch and slows down the motion of the boom without preventing it completely. After the jibe, the now windward line is unwrapped from the winch and the leeward end wrapped back on the winch. A KEY POINT IS TO MAKE SURE THAT the helmsman DO NOT JIBE back before the preventer is re-deployed. The clutch can be locked temporarily if the winch is needed for a different use. The clutches are very handy to keep the boom in the center when not sailing. One extra bonus of the system is that during low to moderate wind conditions it can also be used to help and control a jibe without having to bring the main all the way in. Hope this helps.
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Stan; I don't know how "elegant" it is, but I use a nylon load-securing strap with vinyl-clad hooks that I hook into the toe rail and the aft bail for the mainsheet. Quick and easy to set up, quick and easy to let go.
Thanks
Just returned from a glorious few days sailing in Charleston, We saw steady 20-25 knots offshore. This looks like a great solution. I'm going to rig it. Thanks
Just returned from a glorious few days sailing in Charleston, We saw steady 20-25 knots offshore. This looks like a great solution. I'm going to rig it. Thanks
I don't understand
I don't understand how this rig would prevent the booom from swinging on an accidental jibe.
I don't understand how this rig would prevent the booom from swinging on an accidental jibe.
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