Value of Boom Brakes

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Created by

RiffRaff > 9 months ago, 30 Jun 2014

RiffRaff

265 posts

30 Jun 2014 5:41pm

I have been looking at boom brakes and was quite surprised by the cost of them. Anyone have any opinions on them.

SandS

VIC

5904 posts

30 Jun 2014 7:51pm

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<div class="forumPostActions">Posted 25/4/2014, 3:03 pm

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<div class="forumPostText">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).

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<div class="name">Ramona

<div class="state">NSW

<div class="posts">1441 Posts

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<div class="forumPostActions">Posted 25/4/2014, 4:32 pm

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<div class="forumPostText">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.

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<div class="name">Lazzarae

<div class="state">NSW

<div class="posts">25 Posts

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<div class="forumPostActions">Posted 25/4/2014, 6:12 pm

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<div class="forumPostText">I use the same thing - off ebay!!

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<div class="name">SandS

<div class="state">VIC

<div class="posts">2492 Posts

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<div class="forumPostActions">Posted 25/4/2014, 8:00 pm

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<div class="forumPostText">boombrakes ......good !, much safer way of running .

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<div class="name">nswsailor

<div class="state">NSW

<div class="posts">221 Posts

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<div class="forumPostActions">Posted 25/4/2014, 10:47 pm

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<div class="forumPostText">Ditto Ramona & Lazzarae

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<div class="name">Ramona

<div class="state">NSW

<div class="posts">1441 Posts

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<div class="forumPostActions">Posted 26/4/2014, 6:48 am

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<div class="forumPostText">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.

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<div class="name">sboardcrazy

<div class="state">NSW

<div class="posts">4210 Posts

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<div class="forumPostActions">Posted 27/4/2014, 8:02 am

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<div class="forumPostText">Thanks for the pics..mm food for thought.I imagine any bushwalking or climbing shop would have them too.

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<div class="name">cisco

<div class="state">QLD

<div class="posts">6082 Posts

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<div class="forumPostActions">Posted 29/4/2014, 11:26 am

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Lazzarae said.. I use the same thing - off ebay!!

That is a brilliant piece of kit!!!

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<div class="name">nods

<div class="posts">24 Posts

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<div class="forumPostActions">Posted 29/4/2014, 4:40 pm

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<div class="forumPostText">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.

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<div class="name">Ramona

<div class="state">NSW

<div class="posts">1441 Posts

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<div class="forumPostActions">Posted 29/4/2014, 5:40 pm

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<div class="forumPostText">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-wp7150/dp/26808 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.

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<div class="name">Ramona

<div class="state">NSW

<div class="posts">1441 Posts

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<div class="forumPostActions">Posted 29/4/2014, 5:58 pm

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<div class="forumPostText">I also use a boom vang. The boom brake is only used for gybing.

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<div class="name">DrRog

<div class="state">NSW

<div class="posts">144 Posts

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<div class="forumPostActions">Posted 29/4/2014, 10:00 pm

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<div class="forumPostText">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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<div class="name">Ramona

<div class="state">NSW

<div class="posts">1441 Posts

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<div class="forumPostActions">Posted 30/4/2014, 7:27 am

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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.

Lexmark

VIC

218 posts

30 Jun 2014 7:54pm

Hi, Dont know much about sailing, but while at Sydney last week, was talking to a rigger, I asked him about the "8" shaped boom brake he said NO, buy the drum style for $150, he sail great value.............for what its worth

SandS

VIC

5904 posts

30 Jun 2014 7:56pm

hi riffraff . i just copied and pasted the thread for you . it was around a few weeks ago .

cheers

nswsailor

NSW

1458 posts

1 Jul 2014 12:24am

Hey Ramona,

What sort of cleat did you finish off with?

That's all I have to fit to complete the 'figure 8' system you use.

Ramona

NSW

7737 posts

1 Jul 2014 9:13am

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nswsailor said...
Hey Ramona,

What sort of cleat did you finish off with?

That's all I have to fit to complete the 'figure 8' system you use.

I have self tailing main winches. I simply use the adjacent unused standard plastic cleat. For normal sailing the ends of the system pass through the centre and a figure 8 keeps the end attached and the sheet slack. When I gybe and I don't gybe all that often, its usually just before I cross the bar. I then pull the sheets through and turn up on the cleats.

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