[jgsteven]

pads

1. That is the boom. Know where it is, and where it can possibly go, in relation to you, at all times. It can injure, permanently maim or kill you. 2. One hand for the boat, one hand for you."

Those are the same as my two rules for new guests, except I usually add a third: 'no paper down the marine head' -- the safety angle is that if they clogged the head I would be fairly likely to kill them

Regarding padding, 'Desirable and Undesirable Characteristics of the Offshore Yachts' for example, strongly recommends a pad on the end of the boom. I have yet to actually see a boat with the type of pad the recommend, however.