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Preventer
A preventer is used on a mainsail whenever the wind is behind the beam of the boat but more specifically from the stern. It can also be useful at other times when you have more swell than wind, so the wind may not have the strength to keep the boom in place as the boat dips and rolls. It is used to 'prevent' the boom from swinging uncontrolled from one side of the boat to the other. There a some devices that are specifically made for this purpose. If you do not have one of these devices, you can usually tie a line around the boom (anywhere from mid-boom to the aft end) and lash it to a toe rail, cleat or any other stationary device.
A preventer is used on a mainsail whenever the wind is behind the beam of the boat but more specifically from the stern. It can also be useful at other times when you have more swell than wind, so the wind may not have the strength to keep the boom in place as the boat dips and rolls. It is used to 'prevent' the boom from swinging uncontrolled from one side of the boat to the other. There a some devices that are specifically made for this purpose. If you do not have one of these devices, you can usually tie a line around the boom (anywhere from mid-boom to the aft end) and lash it to a toe rail, cleat or any other stationary device.
Preventer
I actually fixed a longer line to my boom vang so I could detach the lower end of it from my mast and re-attach it to the rail to keep the boom out. It makes gybing a bit more complex, but on long runs it really adds a sense of security. With a catalina 22, boat wakes can really throw the boat around, and I had had problems in the past with the boom swinging uncontrollably with the boat. This was completly corrected with my preventer.
I actually fixed a longer line to my boom vang so I could detach the lower end of it from my mast and re-attach it to the rail to keep the boom out. It makes gybing a bit more complex, but on long runs it really adds a sense of security. With a catalina 22, boat wakes can really throw the boat around, and I had had problems in the past with the boom swinging uncontrollably with the boat. This was completly corrected with my preventer.
Typically a boom has two forces acting on it, the clew of the main pulling up and the mainsheet pulling down. In order to make the boom location rigid, a third force is necessary(like 3 three legs of a stool). The preventer becomes that third leg pulling the boom sideways and fixing its location making it impossible to jibe. In order to jibe, the preventer must be released and then reattached on the other side after the jibe. A preventer can be a line and block assembly(same as a rope vang), or a single line lead to a block and cleet.
What happens if you jibe with a preventer?
Does the boat swing windly into the wind if you jibe? Is it dangerous having a preventer attached if you do?
Does the boat swing windly into the wind if you jibe? Is it dangerous having a preventer attached if you do?
Jibing with preventer attached
David: I assume you mean what happens if you try to jibe the boat with the preventer attached. The answer is you can't jibe (change the boom from one side of the boat to the other) because the boom is held in place. Incidently, it happens all the time that the preventer is missed during the command "prepare to jibe". In fact, I was on a boat last month where they were practicing jibing. I saw that it was still attached but decided not to say anything to see how they handled the situation. For a couple of seconds it looks like a Chinese fire drill while every one tries to figure out what is going on. Where on Narragansett Bay do you sail? I grew up in Edgewood and sailed out of Edgewood YC.
David: I assume you mean what happens if you try to jibe the boat with the preventer attached. The answer is you can't jibe (change the boom from one side of the boat to the other) because the boom is held in place. Incidently, it happens all the time that the preventer is missed during the command "prepare to jibe". In fact, I was on a boat last month where they were practicing jibing. I saw that it was still attached but decided not to say anything to see how they handled the situation. For a couple of seconds it looks like a Chinese fire drill while every one tries to figure out what is going on. Where on Narragansett Bay do you sail? I grew up in Edgewood and sailed out of Edgewood YC.
The description of the "preventor" sounds the same as a "brake" device used to control the boom action during downwind sailing. I have read articles on the "brake" device, 3 small pulleys with a central lock adjustment.
Preventer
Hi Don, Im a fairly new sailor with an 22'Oday. I can see the benefit of using a preventer,but Im concerned with how the boat will react if I have problems trying to quickly disengage it as I often sail alone. I picture rounding up into the wind and getting slammed when I release it. I sail out of Swansea on MT.Hope Bay. Do you miss the Bay? Thanks, David
Hi Don, Im a fairly new sailor with an 22'Oday. I can see the benefit of using a preventer,but Im concerned with how the boat will react if I have problems trying to quickly disengage it as I often sail alone. I picture rounding up into the wind and getting slammed when I release it. I sail out of Swansea on MT.Hope Bay. Do you miss the Bay? Thanks, David
Preventer
David: When a mate designs his preventer, the most important consideration is that it has to be easy and quick to release. Most guys use a snap shackle or other quick release devise. If you have to spend 5 minutes trying to untie a knot that is not a good idea. I do miss sailing on Narragansett Bay. I don't miss the winters!! Out here, there are no nice coves and pretty scenery and convenient harbors like the Bay has.
David: When a mate designs his preventer, the most important consideration is that it has to be easy and quick to release. Most guys use a snap shackle or other quick release devise. If you have to spend 5 minutes trying to untie a knot that is not a good idea. I do miss sailing on Narragansett Bay. I don't miss the winters!! Out here, there are no nice coves and pretty scenery and convenient harbors like the Bay has.
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