Boom Brake Suitable For Top Hats.

[Phillip]

A Boom Brake Suitable For Top Hats.

Some members have inquired about my Boom Brake, so I have put all the info here.

Cost of this Boom Brake which is suitable for yachts up to around 10m is around $100.

[‘ww’ means Whitworths catalogue number]

You will require for a Top Hat:

2 x Twisted Shackles RF 629 [ww76224] $18.50
1 x SS Swivel 6x90 850kg [ww84640] $13.99
1 x block. I used a Riley RM15 and equivalent may be RF51101 [ww6593] $26.95
1 x 25KN Figure 8 Descender Aluminium 5600Lbs Outdoor Climbing Rappelling $13.00

Horned figure 8.jpg (1.6 KiB) Viewed 5075 times

I got my Figure 8 from http://myworld.ebay.com.au/lilylily.123/ but at this time [Oct. 2015] he is out of stock on this item.
DO NOT get the plain figure 8 one as it will jam, it MUST have the horns to work.

6.5 metres of 10mm Double Braid sheet $16.00
1 x suitable cleat to tie off the sheet. I used a 200mm Slimline SS Cleat $18.95
Total $107.39

Using the Boom Brake:

Thread the Figure 8 as shown in the photos.

When in use you have to release it when raising your main sail or when raising the boom to reef.

The tension you apply via the cleat is as follows:
High winds, as hard as you can get it on and in light winds just firm will do.

I had a loop put in one end of the sheet but it needs one at each end so you can end for end it as the Braid cover becomes worn at the Figure 8. That will take some time as I have been using mine for six months continuously now and I think twelve months continuous use would be require before end for ending.

I have NOT had a jib since installing the system.

Boom-Brake-1.jpg (132.55 KiB) Viewed 5076 times

Swivel attachment at the Port rear lower shroud fixing.

Boom-Brake-2.jpg (124.6 KiB) Viewed 5076 times

Figure 8 at the Boom. Shackled to the Vang loop.

Boom-Brake-2a.jpg (137.25 KiB) Viewed 5072 times

Figure 8 at the Boom.

Boom-Brake-3.jpg (172.74 KiB) Viewed 5076 times

Pulley Block attachment at the Starboard rear lower shroud fixing.

Boom-Brake-4.jpg (96.55 KiB) Viewed 5076 times

Cleat position.

[KJD13]

Thanks Philip, will hunt down an abseiling ring.
Cheers,
Kevin

[Phillip]

Just answering my post to show how I set up boom brake.

In reply to Killick's Preventer post.

[freetasman]

My concern about the figure 8 in alloy designed for climbing is that will not last in marine environment and even is not backed up by serious manufacturers.
If I select that system a SS will be my choice.
I still interestedto know if some members are using the drum type of breaks which can be adjusted from the cockpit like the Walder and the Fleming.

[Phillip]

My figure 8, with horns and that's important so you do not get a lock up, is still in good condition showing no signs of deterioration after two trips to the Whitsundays and sitting on a mooring in between over 8 years!

[steve]

Hi Freetasman,

I suspect your concerns about aluminium "figure 8s descenders" are probably unfounded. Aluminium should last well. The boom the preventer will be attached to is probably 40 years old, and made from much thinner aluminium than a figure 8. Climbing equipment is made under stronger quality control requirements than sailing equipment.

I have no experience with the gybe control devices you asked about, but I use a gybe preventer arrangement which may be of interest. On each side I run a line from the boom (at the vang attachment point) to the shroud chainplate U bolt and then to a cleat on the cabin roof. In the attached photo the line is hidden behind the handrail on the cabin top and comes to the black Spinlock PXR cleat in the foreground. The lines are permanently rigged so can quickly be locked and released.

In the event of a gybe, the arrangement allows the boom to move to above the lifelines but not sweep the cockpit. It is useful when sailing downwind, both as a safety device but also allowing you to get the boat back on the original tack, after a lapse of concentration, without the mainsail gybing. The gybe control devices will not do this as they allow the mainsail to gybe, albeit under control.

[freetasman]

Thank you Steve for your post.

[freetasman]

My figure 8, with horns and that's important so you do not get a lock up, is still in good condition showing no signs of deterioration after two trips to the Whitsundays and sitting on a mooring in between over 8 years!

Thank you.
The figure 8 needs to leave the cockpit to adjust the tension and for that reason the drum system looks an attractive solution but expensive.

[Phillip]

Not correct, my line starts with a swivel [to prevent twist in the braid] at the chainplate U bolt, through the figure 8 [with horns] attached behind the vang block on the boom, down to a block at the chainplate U bolt on the other side and then back to a cleat on the cockpit side where I apply any required tension.

Last time I costed this, including the new cleat, was $110.