Does anyone run a gybe preventor on their 23? I am thinking about making a quick set-up for this because it makes downwind sailing much safer (especially for a lazy sailor like me that runs auto pilot a lot).
Do you rig all the way to the bow or do you rig to somewhere else?
I also wonder about having the preventor on and sailing by the lee so you could fly the asymmetrical spinnaker this way, wing on wing. For some reason I prefer a rum line as to qybing back and forth to get somewhere (kind of like how I hate having to sail upwind). Running a straight line seems more logical.
Heave, I use a rock climber's descender (figure eight) shackled to the vang bail on the boom and through blocks on the forward stanchion bases on the port and Stbd gunwales back to a horn jib cleat mounted in front of the winches on my 19. I'm sorry I don't have any pictures of it, but you can see it by John Turpin Here:
(http://www.teamturpin.org/john/tetra_images/brake0.jpg)
That seems like it will work. I use to take a strap that you use for securing things down and attach it from a boom bail to somewhere on the boat. It was quick to put up and take down.
I still remember someone saying that you should run it as far forward as possible. I think it has something with dispersing the load or something like that.
I like your idea though because you could set it up from the cockpit.
Tim does that lock it tight or just act as a speed brake? Is it locked tight and then loosened on one cleat to gybe? I need to do something, I sail up lake a lot on a run wing and wing, but the wind usually clocks 20-30 degrees. I can usually anticipate but Otto the tiller pilot cannot seem to get the hang of it and will gybe the boat when I least expect it.
If I need to lock it tight, an extra turn on the lower ring with each line, (think of a snake winding around the big ring) works as a complete stop. One must sometimes manually push the boom over on a gybe.
Matt:
I devised a primitive (and cheap) one using stuff I had lying around. It's nothing more than a line that snaps on the boom at the boom vang, runs forward to a small block which clips on to the forward stanchion and runs back to the cleat near the winch. It's easy to set and must be moved from side to side. Considering that when I set it, it stays for a considerable amount of time, it's not really an inconvenience to move it from side to side. Simple and works great. Many days I don't even need it so it stays stored in the starboard storage locker.
Bob23
On our 19, I just tie the bitter end of the boom vang line to the shroud with a running knot (pull bitter end, knot unties). The vang end is up high on the boom hound/strap, and the angle works out well.
However, we can reach the shroud without going on deck, so that might not work for you on the mighty 23. Is there a stanchion closely to tie off to?
Anyway this setup works great.
Just be sure that you can cast off what ever you use in case you have an accidental gybe and can't steer the boat around to get the wind on the correct side of then sail. Been there done that.
Ron
GladRags
pilot house 23
Good ideas and good points.
The previous owner of my Catalina 30 had this yellow strap made of 1" nylon webbing that passed through an adjustable buckle. There were s hooks on the ends. I would simply hook one end into a bail on the boom, run the other end to where I needed to tie it off, and pull the strap tight. To loosen it I would go forward and release the adjustable buckle. It was simple but effective. Maybe I should find another one of those.
One nice thing about a bimini is that it keeps you from standing in the way of the boom if it tacks of gybes. I believe that it has saved me a few headaches!!
One reason I like my caveman setup, is that I can uncleat it from the cockpit. It has proven effective and simple.
I have the pieces to do a setup like Tim's. It really does work well and has a lot of advantages over a preventer. Simple,flexible and inexpensive.
You mean that you guys don't carry a bearded axe or a cutlass to cut things free if the stuff hits the fan?!?!? LOL
No, I have a spring assisted serrated 5" knife clipped to my sospenders for that .💃