Boom brake

[Snowgoose-1]

It’s not personal injury risk that is foremost in my mind, it’s a crash gybe bringing the mast/rig down.

Good point.
On my kind of sailing I worked out the odds. More likely to go over the side tripping over lines. Orange line for preventer. But perhaps I should give it another go.

 

[Buck Turgidson]

Here is my first attempt at a preventer - still working on the best way to rig it. It stops a gybe but also the crashing of the boom in lighter winds. I used old stretchy climbing rope to reduce the shock loads on the boom and cleat.
View attachment 120922

Your preventer should be led as far forward as possible, ideally from the bow. You should think about what would happen if the end of your boom becomes submerged.

 

[LittleSister]

I've had two significant crash gybes, both single-handed. Fortunately neither brought down the rig.

The first, on a 22 footer dodging through a gap in a long line of racing boats blocking my entrance to a harbour, broke the gooseneck fitting.

The second, on a 27 foot motor-sailer when it was dark so I didn't see the approaching squall, nor sense the wind picking up and shifting because I was sheltered in the wheelhouse, wrecked both the mainsheet traveller and its track, and left the mainsheet block dangerously thrashing around on its pendant from the boom end.

 

[[2574]]

I've had two significant crash gybes, both single-handed. Fortunately neither brought down the rig.

The first, on a 22 footer dodging through a gap in a long line of racing boats blocking my entrance to a harbour, broke the gooseneck fitting.

The second, on a 27 foot motor-sailer when it was dark so I didn't see the approaching squall, nor sense the wind picking up and shifting because I was sheltered in the wheelhouse, wrecked both the mainsheet traveller and its track, and left the mainsheet block dangerously thrashing around on its pendant from the boom end.

Interesting. I guess a permanently rigged boom brake would have prevented those incidents, but then so would have a rigged preventer. So I guess it comes down to whether a boom brake can be left permanently rigged to guard against the wholly unexpected crash gybe. A permanently rigged preventer would be a nuisance. I have the hybrid solution of a partial preventer line permanently rigged under the boom such that it is easily extended and deployed as described in earlier posts above.

 

[Supertramp]

Your preventer should be led as far forward as possible, ideally from the bow. You should think about what would happen if the end of your boom becomes submerged.

I take your point - from the end of the boom to a block on the toe rail and back to a cleat aft. And using a non stretch line presumably. I would worry about the loading on the line and boom in a full rounded up gybe situation. Having watched boom brake videos I am not inclined to try them as they create clutter and must load the kicker mounting point.

I use the mid boom downward line in lighter winds aft of the beam where the swell causes the sail to lift and rattle the boom and fittings violently.

I suspect the solutions to these problems are dependant on the situation and design of the individual boat. With a roller furling main I would not want caught running with full main on an increasing wind so rounding up to reef early would be my plan. But then the reefed sail puts all the clew load halfway along the boom. Should I then attach a preventer as near to the clew position as possible?

Much easier to think now than in wind over tide after a night's missed sleep!

 

[[2574]]

I take your point - from the end of the boom to a block on the toe rail and back to a cleat aft. And using a non stretch line presumably. I would worry about the loading on the line and boom in a full rounded up gybe situation. Having watched boom brake videos I am not inclined to try them as they create clutter and must load the kicker mounting point.

I use the mid boom downward line in lighter winds aft of the beam where the swell causes the sail to lift and rattle the boom and fittings violently.

I suspect the solutions to these problems are dependant on the situation and design of the individual boat. With a roller furling main I would not want caught running with full main on an increasing wind so rounding up to reef early would be my plan. But then the reefed sail puts all the clew load halfway along the boom. Should I then attach a preventer as near to the clew position as possible?

Much easier to think now than in wind over tide after a night's missed sleep!

Interesting point about a reefed mainsail moving the clew load point further forward. My in mast sail when heavily reefed would have the clew way aft of the kicker attachment but connecting a preventer to the mainsheet attachment might be sensible in that situation.

My Selden mainsail rolls on to the foil from starboard side meaning that I can furl running downwind whilst on starboard, on port there’s no chance and necessary to head up to furl, which is never nice when being chased downwind by increasingly strong winds. As you say, reef early.

 

[Stemar]

I had a preventer permanently rigged, ready to go on Jissel and used it when goosewinged. Yes, it keeps the boom under control and what little brains I have left safely inside my skull, but when effectively singlehanded, a poled out genny and a preventer means you aren't going to be changing course in a hurry or things are going to get very messy if you have to. Not a problem in open waters, but on a Solent Sunday, it's something I try to avoid.

I thought about a boom brake, but they always seems like a lot of money for what they offer when you're on a budget.

 

[[2574]]

I had a preventer permanently rigged, ready to go on Jissel and used it when goosewinged. Yes, it keeps the boom under control and what little brains I have left safely inside my skull, but when effectively singlehanded, a poled out genny and a preventer means you aren't going to be changing course in a hurry or things are going to get very messy if you have to. Not a problem in open waters, but on a Solent Sunday, it's something I try to avoid.

I thought about a boom brake, but they always seems like a lot of money for what they offer when you're on a budget.

A Solent Sunday demands no sails with engine on I reckon........

 

[Daydream believer]

Would not a 100mm mooring ring work, hung from the kicking strap point. The tension line might be wrapped around it a couple of times & sheeted hard. Then friction should assist with slowing down the gybe. Fix the ring to the kicker point on the boom with a soft shackle so it does not put any ridgid strain on the boom fitting. One could hang a shackle inside the ring & take the line round that as well to give the line a more "tortuous " route to increase friction
ie up from the deck, one turn round the ring, up through the shackle then once round the ring & out to the other side of the boat

 

[LittleSister]

Interesting. I guess a permanently rigged boom brake would have prevented those incidents, but then so would have a rigged preventer. So I guess it comes down to whether a boom brake can be left permanently rigged to guard against the wholly unexpected crash gybe. A permanently rigged preventer would be a nuisance. I have the hybrid solution of a partial preventer line permanently rigged under the boom such that it is easily extended and deployed as described in earlier posts above.

Either could have avoided the damage, but on a small boat it's hard and hazardous enough to move around the narrow side decks as it is without having (semi-)permanently rigged lines across it, so like much on a boat it's a balance/compromise of risks and advantages.

On the second occasion I had wanted to take the main down when I turned onto the run, but the wind wasn't that strong at the time, I knew I would want it up again before very long when my course would again become across the wind, and was also reluctant to go to the mast in the rolly conditions to get the main down.

It was a salutary lesson not to be so complacent, because it turned into one of the scariest boating incidents I've ever had. I was single handed, had the boom thrashing side-to-side threatening to brain me with the mainsheet block dangling a foot underneath the boom end while I tried to get a line around it to get it under control, I had a dangerous sandbank close to one side and a deep water shipping channel to the other (a ship had passed a few minutes before), the tiller pilot couldn't hold the course in the new rougher conditions (wind against tide) so the boat was heading off in all directions and I was becoming disorientated, with the rain that had arrived limiting visibility of the lights of the complex buoyage in the area I wasn't confident I knew quite where I was any more or whether there was another ship approaching, and I couldn't see the chart plotter clearly because of the rain on my glasses.

Sitting in my armchair with all the time in the world to ponder I can now think of ways I could have made the situation easier for myself (or avoided it altogether!), but at the time . . .

It has, though, convinced me more of the desirability of a PLB for single-handing, and greater caution about running, than of the need for a boom brake or permanently rigged preventer.

 

[capnsensible]

I've only ever seen a boom brake on one yacht I was delivering. Whichard one. It was very good, but I've never felt the need to go buy one.

I'm a big fan of the curiously named 'preventer' though. Guess we all know it doesn't prevent a gybe, but reduces the chances.....and reduces the damage! I nearly always rig one outside of busy areas and certainly for long distances downwind. Great for stopping the boom banging about in lighter winds in a bit of a seaway. And as several have said, securing the line at the end of the boom, running it well forward (bow cleats useful) and then back to the cockpit I've found works best.
Something else to check for chafe when doing the morning deck walk round. ?

 

[[2574]]

Either could have avoided the damage, but on a small boat it's hard and hazardous enough to move around the narrow side decks as it is without having (semi-)permanently rigged lines across it, so like much on a boat it's a balance/compromise of risks and advantages.

On the second occasion I had wanted to take the main down when I turned onto the run, but the wind wasn't that strong at the time, I knew I would want it up again before very long when my course would again become across the wind, and was also reluctant to go to the mast in the rolly conditions to get the main down.

It was a salutary lesson not to be so complacent, because it turned into one of the scariest boating incidents I've ever had. I was single handed, had the boom thrashing side-to-side threatening to brain me with the mainsheet block dangling a foot underneath the boom end while I tried to get a line around it to get it under control, I had a dangerous sandbank close to one side and a deep water shipping channel to the other (a ship had passed a few minutes before), the tiller pilot couldn't hold the course in the new rougher conditions (wind against tide) so the boat was heading off in all directions and I was becoming disorientated, with the rain that had arrived limiting visibility of the lights of the complex buoyage in the area I wasn't confident I knew quite where I was any more or whether there was another ship approaching, and I couldn't see the chart plotter clearly because of the rain on my glasses.

Sitting in my armchair with all the time in the world to ponder I can now think of ways I could have made the situation easier for myself (or avoided it altogether!), but at the time . . .

It has, though, convinced me more of the desirability of a PLB for single-handing, and greater caution about running, than of the need for a boom brake or permanently rigged preventer.

Scary. Good analysis and a positive outcome though, all good.

 

[Supertramp]

Either could have avoided the damage, but on a small boat it's hard and hazardous enough to move around the narrow side decks as it is without having (semi-)permanently rigged lines across it, so like much on a boat it's a balance/compromise of risks and advantages.

On the second occasion I had wanted to take the main down when I turned onto the run, but the wind wasn't that strong at the time, I knew I would want it up again before very long when my course would again become across the wind, and was also reluctant to go to the mast in the rolly conditions to get the main down.

It was a salutary lesson not to be so complacent, because it turned into one of the scariest boating incidents I've ever had. I was single handed, had the boom thrashing side-to-side threatening to brain me with the mainsheet block dangling a foot underneath the boom end while I tried to get a line around it to get it under control, I had a dangerous sandbank close to one side and a deep water shipping channel to the other (a ship had passed a few minutes before), the tiller pilot couldn't hold the course in the new rougher conditions (wind against tide) so the boat was heading off in all directions and I was becoming disorientated, with the rain that had arrived limiting visibility of the lights of the complex buoyage in the area I wasn't confident I knew quite where I was any more or whether there was another ship approaching, and I couldn't see the chart plotter clearly because of the rain on my glasses.

Sitting in my armchair with all the time in the world to ponder I can now think of ways I could have made the situation easier for myself (or avoided it altogether!), but at the time . . .

It has, though, convinced me more of the desirability of a PLB for single-handing, and greater caution about running, than of the need for a boom brake or permanently rigged preventer.

I sympathise with that situation and it's a good illustration of why rigging a preventer should become a part of normal procedure. And why singlehanding sometimes needs different solutions. Many serious accidents afloat and ashore happen because of an accumulation and coincidence of relatively insignificant events or acts. It's a bit like always stowing stuff away in its proper place when done with it or taking 10 mins longer to avoid a short cut. Your last paragraph is spot on. I never wore a life jacket until I became a parent. I bought 2 PLBs for the boat as I started singlehanding more (2 so that if sailing two handed the on deck person has one). New sails can wait a year or two.

These threads always get better when we share or show real experience. Life is too short and fragile to learn by trial and error.

 

[duncan99210]

Rigging a preventer makes sense when you are likely to be on the same tack for a fair while as transferring it to the opposite tack is a hassle. On the other hand, a brake allows one to gybe from one tack to the other in a fairly painless manner.
So, when sailing between the islands in the Ionian, we rig the brake. It keeps the boom under control in an unexpected gybe and allows the boom to move smoothly to the opposite tack when making a deliberate gybe.
On a long passage, where we might spend days on the same tack, we will rig a preventer.. The preventer is there to stop a catastrophic accidental gybe which might wreck the boom days away from port.
Our brake is attached to the same fittings as the main sheet: the tension on it is that which can be applied by hand, not winched. As such, it relies on friction to achieve its braking effect and thus doesn’t impose much strain on the boom or fittings. On the other hand, the preventer is locked in position and thus has the opportunity to generate much larger forces, hence it is attached to the boom end where it will minimise the bending (and snapping) effects.
So what? We’re really talking about two different beasts here, doing two different tasks. A boom brake is an aid to downwind sailing, aiming to control the boom during gybes accidental or deliberate. Ours is a cheap climbing descender which uses a labyrinthine rope path to produce friction. It lives on the boom, the line for it is fitted as required.
The preventer is there to hold the boom in one position, takes time to remove and re-rig after a gybe and is fine for long runs on the same tack. Ours is a simple length of rope, led to the bow cleat from the end of the boom and then made off to the aft cleat.

 

[[2574]]

Rigging a preventer makes sense when you are likely to be on the same tack for a fair while as transferring it to the opposite tack is a hassle. On the other hand, a brake allows one to gybe from one tack to the other in a fairly painless manner.
So, when sailing between the islands in the Ionian, we rig the brake. It keeps the boom under control in an unexpected gybe and allows the boom to move smoothly to the opposite tack when making a deliberate gybe.
On a long passage, where we might spend days on the same tack, we will rig a preventer.. The preventer is there to stop a catastrophic accidental gybe which might wreck the boom days away from port.
Our brake is attached to the same fittings as the main sheet: the tension on it is that which can be applied by hand, not winched. As such, it relies on friction to achieve its braking effect and thus doesn’t impose much strain on the boom or fittings. On the other hand, the preventer is locked in position and thus has the opportunity to generate much larger forces, hence it is attached to the boom end where it will minimise the bending (and snapping) effects.
So what? We’re really talking about two different beasts here, doing two different tasks. A boom brake is an aid to downwind sailing, aiming to control the boom during gybes accidental or deliberate. Ours is a cheap climbing descender which uses a labyrinthine rope path to produce friction. It lives on the boom, the line for it is fitted as required.
The preventer is there to hold the boom in one position, takes time to remove and re-rig after a gybe and is fine for long runs on the same tack. Ours is a simple length of rope, led to the bow cleat from the end of the boom and then made off to the aft cleat.

Excellent analysis of alternative strategies, thanks.

 

[ashtead]

Yes many thanks for the details Duncan 99210 -I haven’t been a great fan of a preventer due to hassle hence boom brake fixed mid master -just rig it when going down wind and leave it alone to do its job -it does seem pricey but safety stuff is never cheap and I guess you only buy once .

 

[Stemar]

Ours is a cheap climbing descender which uses a labyrinthine rope path to produce friction. It lives on the boom, the line for it is fitted as required.

That sounds like a great idea - any chance of a pic, please?

 

[geem]

Interesting. I guess a permanently rigged boom brake would have prevented those incidents, but then so would have a rigged preventer. So I guess it comes down to whether a boom brake can be left permanently rigged to guard against the wholly unexpected crash gybe. A permanently rigged preventer would be a nuisance. I have the hybrid solution of a partial preventer line permanently rigged under the boom such that it is easily extended and deployed as described in earlier posts above.

We had a boom brake. Never again. Snapped the boom. Now we use twin preventers led forward then to the mast. Works well for us

 

[[2574]]

We had a boom brake. Never again. Snapped the boom. Now we use twin preventers led forward then to the mast. Works well for us

Was the brake attached at the kicker fitting or mainsheet fitting? What caused the damage? Dipped the boom end in the water? Or crash gybe?

 

[duncan99210]

That sounds like a great idea - any chance of a pic, please?

Sorry, can’t do that at the moment as the boat‘s in Greece and I’m not!