Testing Boom Brakes and Preventers

When Yachting Monthly’s Rachael Sprot asked us to collaborate on boom brakes and preventers for an upcoming article and then invited us to join her on the water, we couldn't resist the opportunity. Rachael's boat, Nimrod, a 36ft American-designed Cheoy Lee, isn't well-known in the UK, but its size is typical for our customer base.

Before the trip out, our head rigger Iain gathered basic dimensions of Nimrod and created a specialised preventer pennant. Rachael wanted a solution that could remain permanently attached to the end of the boom, making the preventer more manageable by splitting it into two sections. We crafted a Dyneema line with two eye splices: one end would be attached to the boom using a soft shackle, while the other could either be stowed with a bungee cord or connected to the main preventer line.

Upon arriving in Plymouth, we were greeted by sunshine and a gentle breeze. Iain and Rachael fitted the preventer while moored in the sheltered Sutton Harbour. Iain brought a 10mm braided polyester line (Liros Herkules), about one and a half times the boat’s length, with a snap shackle spliced to one end for easy attachment to the pennant.

To guide the line, we rigged low friction rings attached to the bow and midships cleats, feeding the line along the side deck from the bow back to the cockpit.

As soon as the lock gates opened, we set out into Plymouth Sound with a light breeze filling the mainsail. While the conditions weren't demanding enough to require the preventer in earnest, they were ideal for a test run. We connected the preventer pennant to the preventer line, ensuring it was taut before testing. The slight stretch in the line provided a dampening effect, and the system worked admirably, holding the boom securely and preventing a gybe.

Next, we wanted to test a couple of popular boom brake products: the Wichard Gyb’Easy and the Walder Boom Brake.

Both devices are easy to set up and use. The Gyb’Easy has a rung system and uses friction generated by greater or fewer rungs to increase the holding capacity of the device.

The Walder Boom Brake is the second device we wanted to test. This also works on a friction principle; however, whereas the Gyb’Easy is a one-size-fits-all device, the Walder Boom Brake comes in a range of sizes.

Rachael, the yacht’s owner, decided to keep the traditional set up we’d produced for her rather than use an off the shelf product. She crossed the Channel with it soon after our visit and was very pleased with how it performed.

Teaming up with Yachting Monthly and the hands-on experience with Rachael on Nimrod highlights our commitment to innovation and excellence in the marine industry. Whether you're a seasoned sailor or new to yachting, having a reliable preventer can make a world of difference in both safety and comfort while sailing.