Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.
So I'm thinking if setting up a gybe preventer my Lake is 60 kilometres long , runs north and south and the wind generally blows from a southerly direction . I was thinking of installing a padeye on the boom , probably closer to aft ,using my old jib cars forward of the mast and running the line back to the factory cleats or perhaps the self tailing winch if I'm wing on wing . Has anyone tried this ? Or another configuration ?
We've created a set-up with a single swivel block on a snap hook (a carabiner would work equally well) and about 30' of 1/4" line that has a snap shackle at one end. Depending on the side that the main is above, we'll clip the block to the mid-ship life-line stanchion base and the snap shackle to the boom bail that the vang connects to and run the line back to a genny cleat. The geometry isn't perfect, but it works well. I've read elsewhere here-in that the compressive force of a preventer connected to a boom aft end, could cause a boom failure. I can't really see that happening, but we've had great success w/ our arrangement.
In addition to the preventer, you may really want to consider a whisper pole and the necessary lines to keep the clew properly positioned.
Yeah , that's what I'm trying to figure out as far as positioning goes . I've seen someone use there vang snapped to the bottom of a stanchion or a padeye in a similar position , then I've seen diagrams online that have it as far aft of the boom you can get . With a whisper pole wouldn't there still be a a risk of a accidental gybe ? I do have one but haven't used it yet .Thanks
I installed lines with carabiners from the mid-boom attachment for the boom vang down to stand-up blocks on cars on the genoa track and back to the cockpit. One port side, and one starboard side. The preventers are there and ready to secure in a few seconds when I'm sailing on a broad reach or a run. I have no reason to remove them. They have avoided many accidental jibes.
JohnP 1978 C25 SR/FK "Gypsy" Mill Creek off the Magothy River, Chesapeake Bay Port Captain, northern Chesapeake Bay
The whisker pole won't prevent an accidental gybe - apologies for being unclear. The pole and lines will keep the head sail from flogging about as the wind does subtle shifts, greater wind shifts will cause the gybe. You can reduce the flogging somewhat by carefully adjusting the genny sheet and positioning the main so it spills and fills the genny, but when set well, the pole is a big help.
We don't wing and wing much, I feel the need to be constantly watching the wind vane and that constant neck craning gets tiresome after awhile...
Another approach is a boom brake, which doesn't prevent a jibe altogether--it substantially slows the swing of the boom, for the safety of people and to eliminate the impact on the rig. If the jibe is caused by a momentary puff or a wave rocking the boat, the boom brake might slow the motion enough to keep it from happening. It's a "set it and forget it" thing. Here's a video showing a few. (Too bad there was no wind.)
Dave Bristle Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired), Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge
I like the idea of a boom brake and have looked at them , but I'm trying to use what I have on hand for the summer . Those little brake gadgets are pricey plus purchasing another cleat for my jibcar track from CD .
I’ve seen a boom brake that’s like two SS rings welded together with a little tang in the upper one, for a lot less than the well-known Wichard. It offered several levels of drag. I haven't used it. Here's one from Defender:
Dave Bristle Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired), Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge
Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ. The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.