[Jeff_H]

I have never used a boom brake or been on a boat that did. I understand they work well. When cruising or daysailing, I personally try not to go dead downwind finding that broad reaching yields a more comfortable motion, better VMG, and has a greater margin of safety. As a helmsman, when sailing deep, I especially try to come up slightly onto a higher point of sail when people are moving around the deck.

For long close to downwind passages, I rig preventors on both sides of the boat lead from the end of the boom to a turning block close to the bow and then back to the cockpit. I use a light stretchy line of this purpose so as to no strain anything in an accidental jibe.

Jeff