Posted by Michel Capel (mike_c_f35ck@…>)
Having seen these products and the prices, I’d say you could make a
decent boombrake yourself with an abseil-eight, the aluminum eight
climbers use to slide down a rock wall. Together with two blocks, a
line and a rope clutch you can manage the friction in the metal eight
and have a real decent boombrake system for a decent price.
reg.
michel
— In freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com, “akusinitz”
<akusinitz@s…> wrote:
I have an F-33 not the wishbone wraparound rig. The main is at the
bow making rigging of a brake or preventer a bit tricky.
I have had some unintentional jibes due to land effects that I
wasn’t paying enough attention to. These were in areas where there
was constant jibing or tacking due to narrow areas plagued by
shifting winds so I did some research on what’s available.
In addition to the dutchman which seems the most popular a few
others seemed to have some advantages over the dutchman. I haven’t
used any of them but here’s the info:
http://www.boomlock.com
http://www.svhotwire.com/boombrake.htmlThe first one looked very interesting with one control line. There
are two models and one is quite pricey. I have their manual but I
believe the info is on the website.On my old sloop I would sometimes use 2 vangs one on each rail and
control lines to the cockpit. I’m still considering this might be
the best approach as then there’s no big piece of hardware hanging
under the boom to hit your head on. I use shock cord and similar
stuff just as a cushion for the preventer from the rail.In tight quarters or with shifty winds the brakes would sure make
it
easier.
Alan— In freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com, “Charlie L.”
<clivaday@y…> wrote:Thank You Michel. I have been using “your” Dutchman method for
many
years (decades) on many types of boats, and have experienced some
dangerous and nearly catastrophic situations when jibing
(sometimes
intentionally–sometimes unintentionally), especially when racing
ALONE on my F21, and now my F25, downwind in high winds and
following seas; and/or rounding marks with other boats on both
sides
of me, as I hold the tiller in one hand (or between my knees) and
jibe the main and tack the jib. I read about the “Dutchman Boom
Brake” in Practical Sailor, which highly recommends it for safety
and control reasons, and wondered if any sailors in this group
have
used it, and with what results. This is my second posting of this
question, and you are the first sailor to reply. So, thank you
for
your response, and I hope others will follow. Charlie— In freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com, “Michel Capel”
<mike_c_f35ck@y…> wrote:Well…I’m Dutchman myself, and I just reel in the sheet as
far
as
I can before and during the gibe. After the boom comes across,
I
just let go of the sheet. The friction in the sheet blocks is
enough
of a brake, you just have to make sure that the sheet is reeled
in
quite a bit.michel
— In freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com, “Charlie L.”
<clivaday@y…> wrote:Has anyone used a boom brake of any kind to slow and control
the
boom when jibing? Charlie