Contents

    Boom Vang/Preventer
    Emergency Sea Anchor
    Furler, Deck Organizer
    Access Hatches

Boom Vang/Preventer

Q: I've been planning to rig a boom preventer for running and was wondering how some of you folks have done it.

A: Install a boom vang. Where the lower end attaches to the mast, use a stainless carabiner. When you need a "preventer", detach the lower end of the vang from the mast and secure it to the shroud loop. Be sure to re-attach the vang to the mast before jibing. The vang block would otherwise whip around. Schematic of my vang installation follows:

Emergency Sea Anchor

Q: Also, I've heard a couple of mentions of sea anchors. I'm not really sure what a sea anchor looks like or how it works (other than the parachute type) and I was hoping someone could illuminate me.

A: Some use their 5-gallon "head" bucket, having drilled it for a rope harness. I prefer something more robust when playing "you bet your boat." The parachute type with steel ring opening is easiest to stow and comes in a variety of sizes.

Furler, Deck Organizer

Q: Have any of you used a parachute sea anchor, drift sock, or other off-the-bow drag device to stabilize the boat during single-handed rough water head sail changes? I still get pretty nervous up there on the foredeck when I'm singlehanding.

A: While some prefer hanked-on foresails, my (admittedly limited) experience led me to get a furler to deal with this problem.

To further reduce the requirement to even lean out of the cockpit, I am toying with the idea of a stainless steel bridge over the hatch. I saw something like the following a while ago, and it seems like a good idea.

The sketch shows a stainless bridge arching over the hatch, secured on either side with bolts thru the cabin top.  On top of the bridge, I would mount rope clutches for halyards, downhauls, jiffy reef, topping lift, and boom vang.  Cheek blocks on the mast would turn the lines from the mast to the clutches.

Access Hatches

To improve storage, provide for pumping the bilges, and allow work in the interior of the transom, I have set access hatches in the cockpit seats and floor.  There are plastic storage buckets under the seat hatches, one used as a rope locker, and the other containing safety gear.

Last modified 3/4/01