Boom Preventer + Boom Vang

[romandesign]

1. I want to set up an easy semi-permanent preventers on my new 26D. As I'm learning, accidental jibes are a real possibility. I'm wondering what would be a good and simple way of making a boom preventer on Mac 26D/S? There is not much hardware. I have some eye on the end of the boom, do I connect it to a base of the forward stuncheon, is it strong enough? Then, if I lead it back so it's easy to adjust - where do I tie it on, all the way to the cleat on the back? Or is there a way to tie it to the closer stuncheon while keeping tension, instead of a cleat? There is no spare cleat that I can see that is closer than the stern. We have smaller boats and less loads than most, so maybe it doesn't have to be as bulletproof as for the larger boats. But I still want something that I can do myself, on zero budget, and that I can easily clip/tie when needed. I'm thinking two preventers with carabiner clips that are ready to go. But I'm not sure stuncheon bases are strong enough, and also people must be doing it here already, so I thought I'd better ask how are you doing it.

2. There is no boom vang on my boat and no traveler. I want to have at least a boom vang. As I'm cheap and don't have a budget I thought that I can just use the mast raising system blocks and line: it seems very similar to vang arrangement, dual block on one side and block with line attachment point on the other. So it should give me 3:1 ratio at the least, with 4th line going through a block on deck into the cam cleat that is used for running main halyard to cockpit. I can operate main by going out and cleating it to the mast, I won't be sailing alone anyway. What do you think of that idea? I can still use it for the mast rising as I won't modify it in any way. What would be the best attachment points to the boom and a mast? I don't see any ring made for it. There is a flimsy looking eye around the right spot that I can use (it's used for "sail jockey" bungees I think), or I can attach it to the same ring the main sheet attaches to. Usually boom vang is much shorter and attaches closer to the mast, but I do have a very long mast rising line, and seems like the leverage would be better. I can disconnect it when I want pop-top up. What am I thinking wrong?

[Tomfoolery]

The load on a preventer isn't very high normally. It's just there to prevent the jibe from happening. Like standing something heavy and tall on-end - it takes little effort (force) to keep it more or less upright, but if it gets going, or goes too far (not counting dynamics), the forces required to stop or hold it are much greater. I just clip a small block and line to a lifeline stanchion and clip the line to the main sheet bail. The bitter end usually terminates at a winch (as a fixed object; not for winching), or back at the deck cleat near the cockpit. And I keep it a bit slack usually.

The vang should be hooked to another bail on the boom. They're small and cheap. Mine has a larger bail at the bottom of the mast, too. 4:1, with a becket (the 'attachment point' you referred to) and cam cleat at the boom end. The MRS fiddle blocks are the same except for the cam cleat. I can reach the bitter end from the companionway easily enough, so I've never bothered to bring it aft.

[Sumner]

Any time I'm running I have the two preventers attached to the boom...





More about what has worked well here...

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... ing-9.html

Sumner

============================
1300 miles to the Bahamas and back -- 2015

The MacGregor 26-S

The Endeavour 37

Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

[romandesign]

Thanks guys for detailed info. Lots to think about. I also found some mention of actually using vang as a preventer by clipping it to one of the stuncheons when needed, instead of the mast. As an added benefit it works as a traveler, helping to adjust sail shape. I'm thinking about how I could use my makeshift MRS vang to work like that...

[Highlander]

I have an extra mainsheet that goes from the boom bale to a stanchion


I now use the black one as my mainsheet as I do not get the glare off it in my eye,s like I did when I used the chome one


if u have the cheap mac mainsheet use it & get a bigger & better mainsheet like I did

J

[romandesign]

OK, sounds good. I'll see if I can use MRS this way...