After hearing a few horror stories of late about big swims and losing gear, I've been checking my gear for signs of wear and fatigue.
uni joints, masts, out hauls, down hauls etc...
however the one thing i didn't check was the boom clamp rope and yep you guessed it - bang.
after a 1 km swim in and a 3 k walk i was pretty tired but glad i didn't lose any gear.
Also found a near new lure in the seaweed during my walk back. 
big thumbs up to Jens(?) (sorry man i forgot your name) for giving me a ride back in his car for the last km wet wetsuit and all. beers are on me.
so don't forget to check you ropes and tendons everyone.
Sorry to hear. That's my biggest fear. Where did that happen?
and how often should ropes and uni-joints be changed out? as a rule of thumb
Simplest way to combate this. Use a long piece of high quality rope, enough for two lengths of inhaul. If it wears and breaks simply pull rope along until you have a new piece. Tuck the excess in luff sleeve or if not using cammed sails wrap around boom arm.
That's a good idea ka43. I always have a small coil of thin rope tied to my harness. Had a boom break at the head one day and used it to tie the boom arm back on. Bit shakey but got me home.
Rumchaser has the right idea. I have a used formuline rope tied to my harness. 3 times it has allowed me or a mate to keep sailing after harness line broke.
Select to expand quoteka43 said..
Simplest way to combate this. Use a long piece of high quality rope, enough for two lengths of inhaul. If it wears and breaks simply pull rope along until you have a new piece. Tuck the excess in luff sleeve or if not using cammed sails wrap around boom arm.
Agree
Worth doing the same for outhaul also, as the one bit that is always on the clew eyelet wears fast. When rigging on the most perfect day of the season you will notice it is about to go :( and rather than changing it you can just pull 10cm thru tie a new knot and keep going.
