Having read some articles on the number of deaths sailing out at sea , and the findings of the number one cause in an investigation being held was boom preventors exploding and the boom smashing into someone's head , dead before they went overboard .
Would be interesting to see some ideas on safer boom preventors I like the friction idea such as the Fleming one or the cheaper mountain climbers one
Here is an example of how much pressure can be on a preventor this is a photo from Lisa Blair's yacht
We've got bungee cord on board for this. It holds the boom in place but has a certain amount of "give" when needed. Tricky though, needs watching all the time if heading dead down wind. I prefer to to do a broad reach, the extra boat speed seems to make up for the longer distance traveled.
Select to expand quoteTrek said..
We've got bungee cord on board for this. It holds the boom in place but has a certain amount of "give" when needed. Tricky though, needs watching all the time if heading dead down wind. I prefer to to do a broad reach, the extra boat speed seems to make up for the longer distance traveled.
I do the same as Trek, I don't try to head dead downwind.
I have experienced an unintentional gybe in a stiff breeze on a Swarbrick S111 with a preventor on. One of the most dangerous out of control situations I have been in.
Unless you are racing with a crew I believe they are more trouble than they are worth. I acknowledge a lot of other opinions are out there, although some of them may not have experienced an uncontrolled gybe in a stiff breeze.
I'd never use one of these. Any time the wind was aft of the beam I had lines permanently set up that ran from the end of the boom to the side of the boat a bit forward of the mast and then back to some big mother jam creates. Called them preventers and they did.
When I brought my last boat it had one of these fang dangle devices on it and the rigger who inspected my boat said throw it in the bin, so I did.
As usual, it's your boat and you should do what you believe is best for you.
We have discussed this in the past, do a search for Boom brakes topic over last 5 years.
Select to expand quoteMorningBird said..Trek said..
We've got bungee cord on board for this. It holds the boom in place but has a certain amount of "give" when needed. Tricky though, needs watching all the time if heading dead down wind. I prefer to to do a broad reach, the extra boat speed seems to make up for the longer distance traveled.
I do the same as Trek, I don't try to head dead downwind.
I have experienced an unintentional gybe in a stiff breeze on a Swarbrick S111 with a preventor on. One of the most dangerous out of control situations I have been in.
Unless you are racing with a crew I believe they are more trouble than they are worth. I acknowledge a lot of other opinions are out there, although some of them may not have experienced an uncontrolled gybe in a stiff breeze.
I run preventor as soon as the wind gets to about 115-120. It runs to the anchor/mooring cleat then back to the cockpit.
It wont stop the boat from gybing but it will stop the boom crashing across if you do gybe.
i fail to see what could be so dangerous and out of control by doing this.
Select to expand quoteJolene said..MorningBird said..Trek said..
We've got bungee cord on board for this. It holds the boom in place but has a certain amount of "give" when needed. Tricky though, needs watching all the time if heading dead down wind. I prefer to to do a broad reach, the extra boat speed seems to make up for the longer distance traveled.
I do the same as Trek, I don't try to head dead downwind.
I have experienced an unintentional gybe in a stiff breeze on a Swarbrick S111 with a preventor on. One of the most dangerous out of control situations I have been in.
Unless you are racing with a crew I believe they are more trouble than they are worth. I acknowledge a lot of other opinions are out there, although some of them may not have experienced an uncontrolled gybe in a stiff breeze.
I run preventor as soon as the wind gets to about 115-120. It runs to the anchor/mooring cleat then back to the cockpit.
It wont stop the boat from gybing but it will stop the boom crashing across if you do gybe.
i fail to see what could be so dangerous and out of control by doing this.
When the preventors snaps the boom fires across and has killed quite a few racing guys and flung people overboard
Select to expand quoteBROWNSMTRACE said..Jolene said..MorningBird said..Trek said..
We've got bungee cord on board for this. It holds the boom in place but has a certain amount of "give" when needed. Tricky though, needs watching all the time if heading dead down wind. I prefer to to do a broad reach, the extra boat speed seems to make up for the longer distance traveled.
I do the same as Trek, I don't try to head dead downwind.
I have experienced an unintentional gybe in a stiff breeze on a Swarbrick S111 with a preventor on. One of the most dangerous out of control situations I have been in.
Unless you are racing with a crew I believe they are more trouble than they are worth. I acknowledge a lot of other opinions are out there, although some of them may not have experienced an uncontrolled gybe in a stiff breeze.
I run preventor as soon as the wind gets to about 115-120. It runs to the anchor/mooring cleat then back to the cockpit.
It wont stop the boat from gybing but it will stop the boom crashing across if you do gybe.
i fail to see what could be so dangerous and out of control by doing this.
When the preventors snaps the boom fires across and has killed quite a few racing guys and flung people overboard
Has this been your experience ? how many do you actually know that have had this problem?
Select to expand quotenswsailor said..
We have discussed this in the past, do a search for Boom brakes topic over last 5 years.
Boom brakes are different to preventers. I use a boom brake but would never consider a preventer.
Select to expand quoteRamona said..nswsailor said..
We have discussed this in the past, do a search for Boom brakes topic over last 5 years.
Boom brakes are different to preventers. I use a boom brake but would never consider a preventer.
Ramona I have never used a boom brake but it sure makes more sense to me , What type do you use mate ?
Select to expand quoteRamona said..nswsailor said..
We have discussed this in the past, do a search for Boom brakes topic over last 5 years.
Boom brakes are different to preventers. I use a boom brake but would never consider a preventer.
Ramona I have never used a boom brake but it sure makes more sense to me , What type do you use mate ?
I use a climbing Figure of 8 as a brake. A bit fidly to get just right in tension, but it does slow the boom quite a bit through gybes, accidental or planned. I run it down to the deck cleats midship. Also good for stopping the boom slapping in rolly seas downwind.
The preventor also stops the boom slapping back and forth wreaking and wearing out gear in sloppy seas,,, more so in the light air.
I can't bare to watch that happening so I put a stop to it immediately
I like the idea of a bit of give specially after having a boom break in half from a preventor.
The old green young tree able to bend instead of the old strong tree not giving until to late.
Select to expand quoteJolene said..
The preventor also stops the boom slapping back and forth wreaking and wearing out gear in sloppy seas,,, more so in the light air.
I can't bare to watch that happening so I put a stop to it immediately
Thats a great idea Jolene what are they worth to buy ?
Select to expand quoteBROWNSMTRACE said..Jolene said..
The preventor also stops the boom slapping back and forth wreaking and wearing out gear in sloppy seas,,, more so in the light air.
I can't bare to watch that happening so I put a stop to it immediately
Thats a great idea Jolene what are they worth to buy ?
Its not an idea in terms of an "Idea" ,,, Its just a bit of sail boat kit that many sailors have used for many years.
A length of rope tied to the end of the boom with a big loop bowline (so it can be undone safely from the deck when the boom is on the shrouds) and a turning block to bring the rope back to the cockpit from the bow. You just pull the preventer rope tight in the cockpit to oppose tension from the mainsheet to lock the boom from moving.
Select to expand quoteJolene said..
The preventor also stops the boom slapping back and forth wreaking and wearing out gear in sloppy seas,,, more so in the light air.
I can't bare to watch that happening so I put a stop to it immediately
Jolene, i'm with you. My boom is 27' long and weighing in at 250kg. You don't need that flopping round in sloppy seas. I use a sheet from the boom to a turning block and then back to a winch. To take the shock out of the sheet I have fitted one of those big rubber mooring snubber blocks to the sheet. With It being on a winch it also allows me to do a controlled gybe
I use a Walder boom brake - fixed to a 4 to 1 Purchase with cleat within arms length of the helm. I find it an essential bit of safety kit to control / prevent jibes & fix boom while sailing as described above. Having seen my wife break her wrist on the traveller As sheets flew across while jibing unexpectedly, I can now confidently say this won't happen again!
Select to expand quoteConcepcion said..
I use a Walder boom brake - fixed to a 4 to 1 Purchase with cleat within arms length of the helm. I find it an essential bit of safety kit to control / prevent jibes & fix boom while sailing as described above. Having seen my wife break her wrist on the traveller As sheets flew across while jibing unexpectedly, I can now confidently say this won't happen again!
Thanks for this I will look the Walder boom brake up and find some information on them .
Select to expand quoteAll@Sea said..
Boom preventor
That cracked me up.
Hate to see you beat off a Lee shore in a storm though .
