Have you used them and what do you think? We have one that came with our 'new' boat.
I like the idea but the main already has a lot of friction and it doesn't want to feed out when you go downwind- you have to push it or 'unthread' , feed out loose mainsheet. I'm thinking a boom brake would compound that problem?
We haven't had the boat out in much over 15kts as it hasn't blown much since we got it 6 weeks ago so maybe the boom will go out a bit better in strong winds...( without the brake).

Keep the boom brake.

While back I made a copy of the Fleming Gybomatic. I turned it up out of alloy on my lathe and looked the part. I posted a picture of it in one of the old threads. When I was trialing it it worked well most of the time but occasionally it would get an overriding turn and jam up. I often have to gybe at the entrance as I start to cross the bar and having the boom lock would be a health hazard. I removed the brake, it will re appear as another project. I replaced it with one of these http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/CAMP-Figure-of-8-/261329357025?pt=AU_Climbing_Equipment&hash=item3cd87188e1
Except I paid $13 including postage from China. Its brilliant. I moved the connection point further out along the boom and for light breezes I just leave plenty of slack rope. Each side the rope comes back to the side of the cockpit and before I gybe in a fresh breeze I just tighten up the ropes. Some experimenting with the number of turns on the figure 8 to get the right effect.

Probably a Youtube video somewhere showing how they work.

I use the same thing - off ebay!!

boom brakes ......good !, much safer way of running .

Ditto Ramona & Lazzarae

Mine attaches about halfway between the boom vang and the mainsheet hangers on the boom. This means more rope is passing through the figure 8 and more friction. The size of the cordage also makes a difference, mines about 12 mm.

Thanks for the pics..mm food for thought.I imagine any bushwalking or climbing shop would have them too.

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Lazzarae said..

I use the same thing - off ebay!!

That is a brilliant piece of kit!!!

From my old caving and rockclimbing days....the device pictured is a stand figure eight descender, which looks to be a good idea. The disadvantage is that it is a fixed friction amount so its fine for a fixed amount of wind....but you can buy variable friction descenders so you can vary from light winds to heavy, a lot like the "whaletail" or "Rack" have the advantage that they don't need to be unshackled to increase/decrease just add a extra rack.

The standard figure 8 is about $20 from your local climb shop. Mine has the square shoulder on the top of the 8 which gives some extra friction. They are made of alloy to dissipate heat and I use a rope strop to attach to the boom so there is no SS chewing into the alloy. The actual friction has to be adjusted by the number of loops through the 8. Mine works fine with just one pass. As usual Youtube has plenty of examples! The rope does wear eventually but old halyards are ideal.

If your mentally unstable you may wish to consider this version!
www.arnoldsboatshop.com.au/gybeasy-boom-brake.html

Really they are only for use when the wind is fresh. Light days leave the rope slack. I use mine to hold the boom out when hove to when I am fishing [like yesterday]. Just another use.

I also use a boom vang. The boom brake is only used for gybing.

I have a Figure 8 lying around and had intended to try this some day. Where are you attaching the ends of the line on either side? Stanchion base?

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DrRog said..

I have a Figure 8 lying around and had intended to try this some day. Where are you attaching the ends of the line on either side? Stanchion base?

I have turning blocks on the toe rail with the actual turning point inline with the gooseneck. The ropes go back each side to a cleat alongside the main winch.