[Public-List] Boom Vang

[George Dinwiddie via Public-List]

Kris,

On 11/3/16 8:23 PM, Kris Coward via Public-List wrote:
> I wouldn't prevent to a stanchion either (I use the tracks on the side
> decks instead), but I would like to point out that if you're using the
> same assembly as both a vang and a preventer, you'll probably be keeping
> it snug enough before the accidental gybe that the boom won't have any
> real play to build up speed to crash with. It'll still backwind abruptly
> enough to make a bit of a shock load, but it'll be a far cry from
> delivering the force of a full-on crash gybe.

The force is still there, but it will be distributed differently. Years 
back when Calypso was a loaner boat in the Canadian Races on the 
Chesapeake, the skipper (whom I will let identify himself) let the main 
backwind in gusty air. The preventer, which I was just about to release 
as we were at the leeward mark, held fine. The rivets holding the boom 
to the gooseneck all sheared and the boom end shot a couple feet forward 
of the mast. Fortunately no one was injured, and the next morning we 
reattached the boom with 1/4-20 stainless machine screws to replace the 
rivets.

  - George

-- 
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------
   When I remember bygone days                         George Dinwiddie
   I think how evening follows morn;            gdinwiddie at alberg30.org
   So many I loved were not yet dead,           http://www.Alberg30.org
   So many I love were not yet born.                          also see:
                'The Middle' by Ogden Nash     http://idiacomputing.com
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------