Boom preventer

[Little_Russel]

What is the best way to rig a preventer from the end of the boom through a block at the bow and back to the cockpit, so that it can be released, that does not get in a muddle when one gybes? Or do I need to re-rig it after every gybe? Ta.

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[john_morris_uk]

I don't think you can get away without having to rerig after every gybe but there are one or two ways to make it easier.

I would argue that the best way is certainly from the end of the boom (have nothing to do with the people who rig handy billy's from the kicker or at some mid point on the boom down to the gunwale. I have seen too many broken booms using this method!). From end of boom round some appropriate turning point (could be a foredeck cleat or a block mounted some where in the eye of the boat) then back aft to a cleat in the cockpit. The idea is that in an emergency you can release it at the cockpit end and sail upwind with it still attached to the boom. (It might look a bit of a mess, but the extra line wouldn't actually stop you sailing).

The only trick to making it easier to rig/derig that I know is to have a short length of line permanently attached to the end of the boom with a ring spliced onto the other end. A snapshackle on a a bungy keeps it stretched along the underside of the boom out of the way most of the time, but when you need to rig the preventer, off with the bungy and you have a line already attached to the outboard end but with a ring within easy reach ready attach the preventer to. Some people even have a dedicated preventer line made up with a snap shackle in the end.

Happy downwind sailing,

John

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[ccscott49]

I have a small block attached to the main sheet block on the boom, permanent, with a line through it, to a snap shackle, which fits on the toerail forward, the line comes to a cleat on the boom, I have to re-rig each jibe, but find it no problem, if I had a cockpit, I would do the samre, but have the block on the toerail and line aft. This way you could have two preventer lines rigged and led aft. Have you considered the scott boomlock system?

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[Little_Russel]

I have, but as it is not connected to the very end of the boom it must put a hell of a strain on all components.

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[cpedw]

My solution uses a line permanently fitted from a cleat on the port side of the cockpit, outside everything except the guard rails, through holes in both foredeck cleats then back to the starboard side of the cockpit.
Both ends of the line have a snap shackle fitted. To activate, clip the appropriate snap shackle to the boom end, haul in on the other end and cleat it off. The line is quite light, about 8mm on my 33' Westerly Falcon, but it's been strong enough to restrain accidental gybes so far.
After a gybe, the main is held backed until you ease the preventer. Then unclip the preventer when you get a chance and put it back on its cleats.
That's how I do it; I'm puzzled there must be some flaw in this system since it doesn't seem to be used by anyone else. I'd be interested to hear.

Derek

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[ccscott49]

It seems to work for a lot of people, but it is rigged to slow the boom down, so I thought. which shouldn't unduly strain the boom etc. I have a device my bruv gave me that uses basically a labyrithin for the rope, thereby slowing the boom movement, which I admit I've yet to fit! I'm not sure how the scott one works. But it looks similar.

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[mldpt]

HI on my Corsair I have to say I had not thought of the possibility of breaking the Boom my preventer is connected half way along the boom and taken to the midship cleat, this way the pull is direct almost 90 degrees when I have riged it to the aft end of the boom and forward to the forward cleat it appears to me that the angle of pull is very shallow and with a little stretch I am sure the boom could still jibe. I should mention that my Rig is Kemp inmast so I dont have a very large main and around here in the north Irish sea when ever I am running down wind from IOM its usually f 6 or more and I am well reefed so my sail is most likely no further along the boom than the preventer, but its given me food for thought.
Mike.

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[Guest]

I have blocks port and stbd on the toerail just aft of the bow cleats.I use lines with snap shackles at one end to attach to the end of the boom then through the blocks each side and back to cleats on either side of the cockpit coaming.I was told of this arrangement by someone vastly more experienced than me some years ago and it has served me well.On one occasion I was too idle to rig them and set off in light winds close hauled.Inevitably the wind went round and I was running.I paid too much attention to a Santander-Plymouth ferry and managed to do an involuntary gybe.Even in the relatively light wind the traveller knocked the stop end off.Now I rig them before I set off.

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[Peppermint]

If I rig one which is rare, the boat has to be rolling some for me to consider it, I'd bowline it to the boom end up to the eye of the boat through a block lashed to a cleat and back to a coachroof winch.

I don't worry about convienience as if I rig one I'd expect to be using it for some time so the only criteria is can I dump it in an emergency.

I'm not convinced that sailing dead down wind gets the job done and I certainly wouldn't rig one in the Solent or other congested water. Though you do see it done.

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