vang and preventer

[JohnRPollard]

Originally Posted by billyruffn

I think there's also a lot to be said for keeping the sail area appropriate to the conditions at hand and having a human being driving the boat (or at least sitting at the helm prepared to react) when the wind and sea state get up. After all, an attentive helmsman is probably the best "preventer" there is.

Billyruffn,

You are no doubt correct in pointing out that keeping mainsail area commensurate with wind strength will improve the situation regardless which preventer method is employed.

But this is the point where I must sheepishly reply that an attentive helmsman may not always be your best preventer. Perhaps I was not as attentive as I should have been, but having myself been at the helm during an accidental jibe that destroyed a mainsail on an off-shore cruising boat , I generally advocate some method of mechanical prevention as prudent whether the boat is steered manually or by autopilot/windvane.

[soulesailor]

Originally Posted by scosch

Im trying to sneak up on all the equipment I need to avoid making mistakes, and moving the vang to the rail when necessary seemed a good start.

scosch~ I would recommend not doing this. I used my vang as a preventer for a while and, looking back on it, feel lucky I escaped unscathed. I was fortunate enough to meet someone who broke the same boom I use by doing just what I was doing (what you are planning to do). You can rig a simple line from the end of your boom to your bow or a boom brake, whichever you like, for a lot less than a broken boom, not to mention what else might break if your boom lets go.

[Omatako]

Originally Posted by JohnRPollard

The problem with option (2) is that following this course of action will require easing the preventer line until it bears up hard against the shrouds, placing enormous lateral loads on them. And this will occur at about the same moment that the angle of the line from the bow to the boom-end will lose most of its purchase (i.e. mechanical advantage), so the preventer will no longer be able to overcome the tremendous leverage being exerted on the boom via the backwinded sail. At that point the only option will be to release the preventer entirely and let the boom jibe violently. In addition to risking damage to the boom or the leeward rigging with the jibe, there is risk that the windward rigging, probably the spreader, will be damaged if the preventer line is permitted to bear up against the shroud prior to release.

That was going to be my next question. While the sail is backed and the boat is busy rounding up, how do you release the line that runs to the bow? Especially in the middle of the night in a heaving sea and a good strong blow? I would guess with real sharp knife and a character-building jibe. Definitely not for me

Also, John (and SD) - yep I reckon you're right on the regional interpretation issue and will accept that as is.

Andre

[billyruffn]

Omatako wrote: While the sail is backed and the boat is busy rounding up, how do you release the line that runs to the bow? Especially in the middle of the night in a heaving sea and a good strong blow? I would guess with real sharp knife and a character-building jibe. Definitely not for me

----
O, the line runs from the end of the boom forward to the bow, through a block (mine is attached to the bow cleat with a spectra strap) and back along the deck to the cockpit.

------------

JohnRPollard wrote: Perhaps I was not as attentive as I should have been, but having myself been at the helm during an accidental jibe that destroyed a mainsail on an off-shore cruising boat , I generally advocate some method of mechanical prevention as prudent whether the boat is steered manually or by autopilot/windvane.
----
Yup, "attentive" is the operable word, but I agree entirely -- mechanical prevention is key. Because it doesn't take much "inattention" (maybe reaching for a cup of coffee as the boat slides off a wave) for a jibe to ruin your evening.

Preventers are a pain in the ass to rig and operate, but I find them very useful, especially when you have new/young/inexperienced crew at the helm. Preventers let you say to your young nephew, "See, that's what I was saying about not getting the wind get too far 'by the lee'," without it costing you a couple grand.

[scosch]

Ok, seems moving the vang from the mast base over to the rail to act as a preventer is generally discouraged but possible.
So instead of a seperate preventer, I think some of you like the idea of a boom brake. Is this an entirely seperate device from the vang? Is a a stretchy line that one attaches to the end of the boom, runs forward to a block and then back to a cockpit cleat? And the brake is somekind of friction device somewhere on this line? Where do I find one? Sounds like it would be cheaper than the block and tackle set up of a preventer.

[soulesailor]

scosch, check out this other thread Gyb'easy, lots of talk there about preventers, two types of brake and a link to some pictures.

[PeterPentz]

This is my first go at blogging on this website. I am an older dog and have taken up full-time cruising of late. Although I have been sailing most of my life, there is so much to learn about cruising. Judging by the quality of input on Sailnet, there are obviously some very experienced and skilled sailors out there, so I am my questions will be simple fodder.
I have purchased a Bavaria 44 at she is currently in Croatia, waiting my return from Australia at end April when I wil sail her down to Greece and spend the European summer there. I need a boom preventer and wondered if you could advise what gear I should aquire - specs of the block and tackle etc. The more you can tell me the better!! Never set one up before.

I wouold also appreciate some advice on ground tackle, but think maybe I should set up a new thread for this?

Many thanks

Peter

[JohnRPollard]

PeterPentz,

Welcome to SailNet and congratulations on your new Bavaria. That should be a nice cruise in and around the Greek Islands. Also, we have a SailNet member that lives in Croatia (I think), screen name Tomas. He may be a good local resource for you. (Haven't seen him around lately but I seem to recall he was going off for a charter in the Caribbean about this time).

We often point new members to this thread to help them understand how SailNet is set-up and to get more out of it:

http://www.sailnet.com/forums/sailnet-how-tos/39379-newcomers-get-more-out-sailnet.html

To answer some of your above questions.

Regarding the anchor, yes, that should be the subject of another thread. But before you post your question, I would suggest you use the "Search" function to review some of the many threads that have already been posted on that subject. Then ask away.

Regarding the preventer, reviewing this thread is a good place to start. Also, the subject has been addressed previously, so using the "Search" function should turn something up. Here's another recent thread that discussed boom brakes:

http://www.sailnet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40129

And here are some external links to articles that discuss preventers:

http://www.sail-world.com/index.cfm?...=0&tickerCID=0

http://www.bermudarace.com/Portals/0...ter_2007_2.pdf

Finally, if you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to post them.

[sailingdog]

I'd recommend a Dutchman boom brake rather than a preventer. I believe a boom brake makes for a safer installation overall.

The Dutchman boom brakes are sized according to the area of the sail.

Originally Posted by PeterPentz

This is my first go at blogging on this website. I am an older dog and have taken up full-time cruising of late. Although I have been sailing most of my life, there is so much to learn about cruising. Judging by the quality of input on Sailnet, there are obviously some very experienced and skilled sailors out there, so I am my questions will be simple fodder.
I have purchased a Bavaria 44 at she is currently in Croatia, waiting my return from Australia at end April when I wil sail her down to Greece and spend the European summer there. I need a boom preventer and wondered if you could advise what gear I should aquire - specs of the block and tackle etc. The more you can tell me the better!! Never set one up before.

I wouold also appreciate some advice on ground tackle, but think maybe I should set up a new thread for this?

Many thanks

Peter

[lastconch]

Try this Boom Stay
http://www.mv.com/ipusers/whale/till.../boominfo.html
This system works as vang preventer & boom brake. designed for smaller vessels.
I have used blocks to create a stronger system for my 34 ft vessel. It allows great sail shaping control, And when you jibe allows the sail to slide across at a controlled rate. Single line control no going forward.