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.
When going down wind I have been using a preventer to the stanction. I was wondering if anyone has used the boom vang for this purpose or possibly rigging a couple of blocks with a cam cleat like the main sheet. Any expertise would be great. I use this setup on the ocean and sometimes with light motor.
The boom vang holds the boom downward towards the mast step, but does not restrict port or starboard movements. You could re-rig the boom vang as a preventer, but you are usually on a fast broad reach or a dead run when you need to prevent an accidental jibe. In potentially dangerous situations it is critical to avoid going forward to adjust the rigging.
Years ago when visiting SF, I learned from Paul Zell that a preventer makes sailing on a run safer and more relaxing. I manned the helm while Paul held the genoa out to starboard with a whisker pole, and rigged a preventer to port. This was while running downwind in "the slot" where there are frequently strong winds entering San Francisco Bay through the Golden Gate. He mentioned that there are both tricky winds and tricky currents around Alcatraz and Angel Island.
So when I had the chance I bought several second-hand, genoa track cars and blocks (at Minnie's) and I rigged 2 preventers that attach to the boom vang bail and run to stand-up blocks on cars on the port and starboard genoa tracks then back to the cockpit. They are permanent running rigging on my boat. When sailing on a run in heavy winds or moderate and variable winds, I secure one of the preventer lines to a cleat in the cockpit and breathe a sigh of relief. In light following winds, the boat can even do a 360 with no danger of a jibe.
I avoid attaching running rigging to the stanchions.
In my sailing area, the Chesapeake Bay, the winds blow from any of the 4 directions and can change without warning, which sometimes makes for dangerous conditions. For example, in July with my old sailing buddies from college we went from the Magothy River on the western shore 40 miles down the Bay to the interesting town of St. Michaels on the eastern shore. I recall that we had 15-20 kt west winds with gusts to 30 kt. It was a fast sail on a beam reach with about 3 foot waves. We hanked om the 60% storm jib, tucked 1 reef into the main, and secured the main with the sheet, the vang, and the port preventer. It was really fun bouncing down the Bay at hull speed, and it was a safe trip as well.
I thank Paul Zell for showing me his use of the preventer on his C25.
JohnP 1978 C25 SR/FK "Gypsy" Mill Creek off the Magothy River, Chesapeake Bay Port Captain, northern Chesapeake Bay
So when I had the chance I bought several second-hand, genoa track cars and blocks (at Minnie's) and I rigged 2 preventers that attach to the boom vang bail and run to stand-up blocks on cars on the port and starboard genoa tracks then back to the cockpit. They are permanent running rigging on my boat. When sailing on a run in heavy winds or moderate and variable winds, I secure one of the preventer lines to a cleat in the cockpit and breathe a sigh of relief. In light following winds, the boat can even do a 360 with no danger of a jibe.
I avoid attaching running rigging to the stanchions.
Any pics of how you rigged this would be appreciated !
I often sail with novice sailors who cannot seem to grasp the idea of avoiding an accidental gybe, even when the dangers to themselves and to the standing rigging are explained. The preventers save everyone some grief on our pleasant day sail.
When I sail single-handed on a broad reach or a run, I often have several things to do besides monitoring a following breeze, and a preventer eliminates one of the big problems I foresee.
I suppose that with Steve Milby's racing teams, it is a very different situation, with everyone hopefully quite experienced and very attentive!
I will get some pix and post them for those interested.
JohnP 1978 C25 SR/FK "Gypsy" Mill Creek off the Magothy River, Chesapeake Bay Port Captain, northern Chesapeake Bay
Thanks for the info John. My topic was dead for so long I had a lot of time to do some research. I concluded that using spare Genoa track cars and adding a couple cleats is the best way to go. So, rite on. I also plan on permanently rigging this new setup. Thanks again.
I often sail with novice sailors who cannot seem to grasp the idea of avoiding an accidental gybe, even when the dangers to themselves and to the standing rigging are explained.
I share your pain. A small subset of novices just cant ever get the idea of what direction the wind is coming from. They ask me amazed how I know this stuff. I tell them first I can feel it blowing on me, but I can always look at the windex which POINTS AT THE WIND!
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.