When I first encountered the Wichard Gyb’Easy boom brake, I thought “Hey, cool, a kind of self-tacking preventer”.
And then I thought “Why not just use a conventional figure-eight descender, like climbers use?”
And then I started doing some research. It turns out my thoughts aren’t all that original; lots of people have wondered if an inexpensive figure-eight descender could work.
There are a couple of discussion threads (here and here) over at Sailnet.com, for instance. And another thread at CruiserLog, which includes a suggestion that you have your own boom brake friction device fabricated for a fraction of the price. Asked and answered, as well, over at the Seven Seas Cruising Association and Cruisers Forum.
Oh, and to clarify, this is not a preventer at all. It doesn’t “prevent” a gybe, but it does slow down the boom when it swings across. So it’s a boom brake. Just wanted to clarify that.
Any of my talented readers have experience with this device, or with a conventional figure-eight?
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I’ve used figure eight descender/belay devices as boom brakes on various boats and they work very well. Fact is they will prevent a gybe if you harden down the line so can act as a preventer. The best way to set it up is have both ends of the brake lines able to be adjusted. No winch needed as all you need is to take up and release slack.
The Wichard unit is very nice and reminds me of a caving descender that used to be available in climbing shops in France when we were building our boat there, but that descender only cost twenty bucks… Then again if you put the name Marine or Wichard on anything well you can ask whatever fools will pay for it…
In my somewhat less than humble opinion every boat really needs a boom brake and as the basic figure eight does the job for less than $20 no reason not to have one on even the most modest boat.
capns for those of us not familiar with climbing gear what is a figure 8 preventer. pixs or source would be helpful. thanks in advance.
tom jones
bluejacket
brewer 42
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