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[MMNETSEA]

Not wishing to pre-empt the findings of the investigation into the latest tragedy in the ARC rally.

But taking a good hard look at preventing injuries from being hit specifically by booms:-

During racing the controlled gybe manoeuver may be performed many times without the use of a boom preventer - this is understandable.

However, when in a cruising mode and when setting a course for a distant destination, is there a good reason for not using a boom preventer, so that if an unplanned gybe occurs - possible injury is averted ???? (not sure about the commonly used term "accidental gybe" means)

There are many ways to prevent the boom swinging uncontrollably from one side of the boat to the other. Many commercial accessories are available - many simple techniques have been adopted and improved on, I have just gone through such a process.

What do our cruisers do to minimise the risk of being clobbered by the boom ???????

Richard

[Nausikaa]

What do our cruisers do to minimise the risk of being clobbered by the boom ???????

Keep my head down!

Seriously though, there is a very simple technique for rigging preventers. From the end of the boom (or very close to it) a line is rigged on each side to a block forward of the mast from which it then leads aft to the cockpit. When the vessel is settled on a run, the preventer on the side of the same side of the boat as the boom is simply pulled taight and belayed on a cleat in the cockpit. Don't forget to let it go before tacking or deliberately gybing!

The arrangement is simple and the cost almost negligable.

Aye // Stephen

[imagine2frolic]

I used a preventer when singlehanding my 30ft. Columbia from S.F. to Mexico. It came in handy several times. On the cat the traveller is 17ft, and there is a bimini between my soft noggin, and the boom.

[redbopeep]

That two block system described above also works well on staysails that have their own boom, too. Before the sheets are run aft to the cockpit they are run forward through blocks about 1/3 to 1/2 of the way forward of the end of the staysail boom. As you know, those staysails frequently do their own jibe unexpectedly on anything from a beam to broad reach or run because of wind blanketing of the main sail. If someone is on the foredeck, its a matter of safety.

[MMNETSEA]

If it is accepted that it is obligatory for every skipper to prevent unsafe and destructive boom movement by ensuring the boom is rigged for gybe control, perhaps further discussion is needed on preventing 'Boom injuries'.

A better solution to a preventer is probably a boom brake as these units do not require the immediate crew attention that a rigged preventer requires (definitely more expensive but safer - examine that aspect further on)

Examples on the market (in no order of preference - no commercial interest here declared)

Walder (French)

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Dutchman (Netherlands)

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Wichard (French)

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Of the above 3 ( sure there must be more!) the Wichard is definitely the simplest - the Dutchman is a lot cheaper than the Walder.

Returning to question of a preventer vs. a boom brake - it must remembered that if the boom 'dips' in the water at any time while held by a preventer, a shock absorber should be included in the preventer's line to minimise damage before the preventer can be eased.

All in all, if considering which is safer and easier to manage - the boom brake wins hands down, except for cost.

Richard

[Francis]

Boom brake seem the safer device and since they are mounted on a permanent basis, there is no risk of forgetting rigging up a gybe preventer or getting injured while doing so. Raising the boom works nicely too, I did that in order to stand at the helm, it works well and I had to cut only a couple of square feet at the head sail. Granted a higher boom moves up the center of gravity but on a 23 tons cruiser, 1 1/2' up is not making a lot of difference.

[MMNETSEA]

Hi Francis,

What was entailed in repositioning the gooseneck/boom etc etc eg.. moving blocks fairleads
winches

Richard

[Guest_greexc_*]

Hi
I have spent much I my sailing with racing crews and have had many hands in a gybe. Now I have started cruising and without much knowledge of boom brakes decided that to put up a boom brake sounded desirable. I fitted one and have not regretted it, it does allow a well controlled gybe and takes the slap away from the sail when its rolly in a lesser breeze. It also is a benefit when reefing during a reach. I do not enjoy the additional lines in the cockpit but the benefits outweigh this. I am not sure about the most effective placement of blocks in relation to the mast and also was unclear if the boom brake might be able be used as a boom vang?

[svmoose]

Not wishing to pre-empt the findings of the investigation into the latest tragedy in the ARC rally.
Richard

Hi Richard, Along the same vein as "keep your head down", but not tongue-in-cheek, when I go forward at sea I try to keep forward of the after lower shrouds, ie. using them as protection from an unplanned gybe. On SV Moose we run two 3/8 lines from the boom vang attachment point outboard to bullet blocks on the toerail. The lines run parallel to the toerail back to a second set of blocks, and then up to cockpit coaming cleats. It's worked great for the last year, and it's been a busy year.
Duncan

[roverhi]

I use a double vang set up, 4 part tackle from boom to deck on each side. It acts as a preventer keeping the boom from swinging wildly in a jibe It also allows me to immobilize the boom by cinching both sides tight whether the sail is up or down as well as vanging the main down. Bitter end of the vang lines are run back to the cockpit. With the halyard and reefing lines also run back and lazy jacks, can work the main without leaving the cockpit from hoisting, to reefing to dropping the sail entirely. You do have to remember to release the vang in a planned jibe but something that gets imprinted in your mind when you forget it once.

I went with the double vang system since I didn't want to give up the realestate under my boom that a boom to mast vang does. Boat came with one but one boisterous sail and it pulled the fasteners out of the mast.

Aloha
Peter O.

[Seeratlas]

I vote for raising the boom. Did it on my previous sloop, but mostly because it was large enough and heavy enough that pretty much for sure if it hit you, it could kill you. But for any cruiser, it seems a bit silly to take a chance of serious injury for a few extra square feet of sail. Especially for someone sailing short handed, you have a million things on your mind, one moment of inattention, one time forgetting to rig the vangs/preventer and WHACK!...out of the gene pool.

Think of it this way. How about if we were all talking about LOWERING THE BOOM, testing the 'limbo' principal as to how much cockpit diving we'd be willing to do to gain a few extra square feet. Who was it that decided that we'd raise the boom starting from waist height and stop raising it when it was just right for whacking the hell out of someone's noggin....When you look at it that way, seems silly as hell NOT to put it over your head...doesn't it?

seer

[MMNETSEA]

Hi Seer,

Thanks for input , agreed that if the design of the sail plan provides for raising the boom.
cutting the sail to a smaller triangle , usually along the foot - so that the boom misses the tallest crew member - then that may be a good option. However, this modification may not be that simple :- consider internal reefing lines, fairleads , gooseneck , new sail , new higher mast ,COST, Raise how much ? What will it do to the main's efficiency - eg : on a fully battened main ?
Etc ........................ .

Even when modified , the boom will still need controlling - this is where a brake comes into its own - while a preventer will still need crew attention during an unplanned gybe.

Richard