As I am starting my second season sailing, I have learned most of what I know from reading this board. I had noticed people mentioning using a preventer when the boom was out. I am still not quite sure if this is a specific device but I did understand it's purpose. So, last weekend I was teaching my 12 year old how to handle the main and tiller. We were wing on wing and I told him about using a preventer, (i used a bungie cord attached to the life line.) I had to make an adjustment to the whisker pole and as I was doing this, my son changed heading slightly and the main started lufting. I realized, without the preventer, I would have been in the water, hopefully with only a large red mark. Thanks again for all of the valuable information imparted on this board.
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Hey Tom, use something a bit more stout...
than a bungie cord to the lifeline as a preventer. A bungie cord isn't strong enough to be used as a preventer and the lifelines aren't made for the loads involved either. Better to use a line the same diameter as the mainsheet and made fast to a cleat.
than a bungie cord to the lifeline as a preventer. A bungie cord isn't strong enough to be used as a preventer and the lifelines aren't made for the loads involved either. Better to use a line the same diameter as the mainsheet and made fast to a cleat.
Where to attach to the boom.
Thanks for the reply. (kind of early out there isn't it
I attached it to the ring that my boom vang attaches to. Do you think a line from there to the bow cleat would be sufficient, or should I attach to the cleat at the end of the boom?
Thanks for the reply. (kind of early out there isn't it
I attached it to the ring that my boom vang attaches to. Do you think a line from there to the bow cleat would be sufficient, or should I attach to the cleat at the end of the boom?use the toe rail
to attach the preventer, if you have a toe rail. If not, use something secure like a mid-ship cleat. BTW, you can rig your boom vang as a poor man's preventer if youi want. Unshackle the block from the base of the mast and move it to the toe rail, and you are in business.
to attach the preventer, if you have a toe rail. If not, use something secure like a mid-ship cleat. BTW, you can rig your boom vang as a poor man's preventer if youi want. Unshackle the block from the base of the mast and move it to the toe rail, and you are in business.
Better at the end of the boom
Run the preventer from the end of the boom to the toerail for the most secure set-up. A prevented boom can dip into the water, where the forces could bend the boom if the preventer attached at the vang position. I have a snap shackle at both ends of my vang to make this exercise easier. David Lady Lillie
Run the preventer from the end of the boom to the toerail for the most secure set-up. A prevented boom can dip into the water, where the forces could bend the boom if the preventer attached at the vang position. I have a snap shackle at both ends of my vang to make this exercise easier. David Lady Lillie
Convenient release of preventer...
can be accomplished if you run the line from boom-end thru snap shackle on toe rail and hence to a winch or cleat near the cockpit....and save you from having to go forward to release it in a blow.
can be accomplished if you run the line from boom-end thru snap shackle on toe rail and hence to a winch or cleat near the cockpit....and save you from having to go forward to release it in a blow.
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