I think I get the idea behind this, but if wrong, please let me know
As far as I understand it's to hold the boom out and stop it swinging from one side to the other uncontrolled, which could take a head off ?
If so, how do I manage it ?
Sorry for the dumb question, managed to figure out quite a bit but this one's still confusing me, and when I mentioned it to the other yachties up here they just laughed and said they've never heard of it
In which case, do I even need one ?
Rigging a boom preventer
Moderator: Jeff
Rigging a boom preventer
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Boom (-gybe ) preventer
Dave,
The idea is to prevent the boom 'whanging' across the cockpit with speed and violence, in the event of an uncontrolled gybe - which most often happens at night, and /or in strong breeze, and lumpy seas - while running downwind, with the helmsman tired and switched-off. It kills......
At at the very least, it splits tired old mainsails - and cracks open tired old skulls. Take it seriously.
A 'preventer' is no substitute for awareness and switched-on boat-handling but we all get tired. It holds the eased-out boom forward, unable to gybe across, so the risk to rig and crew is contained. Conversely, it is also a hazard if the boat gybes 'uncontrolled', then broaches, then is knocked-down by a following sea. So using a 'preventer' is a balanced decision.
One method is clipping a 'handy billy' purchase between the toerail and the mid-part of the boom 'above and abaft' that point, so that the restraint leads forward and down. That usually requires a crewman to go forward on the lee side to remove it, prior to a controlled gybe - which is slow and sometimes a touch hazardous. Another way is to lead a line from about the same mid-point on the boom, forward to a turning block near the bows, then back to a jammer/cleat on the coachroof ( accessible to the cockpit). This permits the 'preventer' to be both eased and hauled from the safety of the cockpit. A pair of them - one each side - is commonplace on a lengthy downwind leg, such as Gran Canaria to Barbados, or Lowestoft to Ostend.....
I'd recommend to you having the latter available.
The idea is to prevent the boom 'whanging' across the cockpit with speed and violence, in the event of an uncontrolled gybe - which most often happens at night, and /or in strong breeze, and lumpy seas - while running downwind, with the helmsman tired and switched-off. It kills......
At at the very least, it splits tired old mainsails - and cracks open tired old skulls. Take it seriously.
A 'preventer' is no substitute for awareness and switched-on boat-handling but we all get tired. It holds the eased-out boom forward, unable to gybe across, so the risk to rig and crew is contained. Conversely, it is also a hazard if the boat gybes 'uncontrolled', then broaches, then is knocked-down by a following sea. So using a 'preventer' is a balanced decision.
One method is clipping a 'handy billy' purchase between the toerail and the mid-part of the boom 'above and abaft' that point, so that the restraint leads forward and down. That usually requires a crewman to go forward on the lee side to remove it, prior to a controlled gybe - which is slow and sometimes a touch hazardous. Another way is to lead a line from about the same mid-point on the boom, forward to a turning block near the bows, then back to a jammer/cleat on the coachroof ( accessible to the cockpit). This permits the 'preventer' to be both eased and hauled from the safety of the cockpit. A pair of them - one each side - is commonplace on a lengthy downwind leg, such as Gran Canaria to Barbados, or Lowestoft to Ostend.....
I'd recommend to you having the latter available.
Wot! me worry...?
RNLI customer
RNLI customer
Brilliant, thanks BB, I'll have a go at that this week and see how it goes after that
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