Latest “Practical Sailor” has a brief somewhat unclear, at least to me, article on boom brakes. Got to wondering could they be useful on a Nonsuch. They talk about dynamic, i.e. stretchy climbing rope. I plan to research that.
Bob Dryer
Nonsuch 30c 42
City Island, NY
One of the nastiest things that can occur on any Nonsuch is a “crash” or “flying” or accidental gybe. So much sail in SO LITTLE TIME.Ker- asho !!!
A few of the boom brakes or gybe preventers (Witchart, etc.) are wonderful designs and work beautifully on a boat with a conventional boom and mainsail i.e. a sloop. and they do use (and are sold with a very specific type of line, in order to be effectiv).Surely, though, the forces and physics that would come into play if such a concept were to be used with a wishbone and loose-footed sail could result in a BIG chunk of fibreglass getting torn right off of the boat, or worse.
Because the aft end of the sail (and the boom) on a downwind run can actually be set further forward than the mast, this diminishes the chance of a crash gybe. It also is a safer idea to avoid an absolute dead run and to settle, for instance, on the wind blowing from, let’s say, the rear starboard quarter as as you sail a starboard tack with the sail WAY out over the port side of the boat ( ummm… I think I’ve got that right …). Sort of like settling for a “chicken gybe”, y’know what I mean ??
The best “preventer” or boom brake on a Nonsuch is the skipper, keeping a close watch on the wind direction. Furthermore, if you think about it, where the heck would you locate any kind of boom brake ??
That’s my two cents worth.
Ernie A. in Toronto
I am thinking about racing when there may be little choice but to jibe. 
Oh, I agree, Bob.
I’m just a mild-mannered cautious cruiser. Our boats gybe just fine, in the right hands !!
Happy racing !!
Ernie A. in Torornto
Some years ago, maybe 2005 shortly after Wichard came out with theirs, I rigged one of my own using an Italian mountaineering aluminum descender ($30). This descender was rigged on line running boom to boom at the midship mooring cleats. A much longer line was attached at it’s midpoint to the descender eye and attached OVER the lifelines to the midship cleats.
I believe I demonstrated or showed a video of gibes in moderate wind to Mark Powers. I remember touching the descender after a couple of gibes and burning my hand!
I remember the videos. Don't know if I still have them on the computer. The system really worked. I also remember Dick saying that after a few back to back "intended crash gybes" the line was too hot to handle. The good news is that we generally don't have repeated crash gybes.
Mark a Powers
La Reina 26C
Vancouver, B.C.
Doesn’t anyone here remember how the “Hudson River” Jibe works?? I use it all the time and it’s fine.
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS 30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ (_~ (_~ (_~ (_~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
In low to moderate winds I use the Hudson River gybe. Works great. Just need to mind that the main sheet doesn't get hung up on the stern rail as the boom comes over.
Jim Cosgrove
FATE 30U #343
Galesville, MD
I've used it racing with winds up to 20 or so. However, my stern rail is clear of all obstacles that sheet may run into. Also, there is a dedicated crewmember helping the sheet around.
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS 30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ (\_~ (\_~ (\_~ (\_~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Oh well … I still use the “Lake Ontario KFC Gybe”. Interesting about the rig that Dick Lane set up, tho.
Ernie A. in Torornto
Dick,
I would really like to see a drawing of your descender setup. “on line running boom to boom” I assume means from one arm of the wishbone to the other. Do I have that right?
“I subsequently went to an extended main sheet that didn’t need setting up.” Would you please elaborate?
Bob Dryer
Nonsuch 30c 42
City Island, NY
Bob, the descender slides with a lot of friction on a fairly taught line running from one wishbone to the other in line with the midship mooring cleats.
I replaced the original main sheet with one 50’ longer that allows the boom to go about 20deg forward of the mast. As a consequence I never use my boom brake any more.
Not a preventer, more of a shock reducer, I installed a rubber line snubber to the fixed end of the main sheet and it takes the shock impact out of an accidental (or otherwise) gybe.
The side benefit is provides automatic sail adjustment in gusts,easing off the main in a gust and returning to its previous trim when the gust passes, making the boat far less sensitive and more stable. The crew will thank you.
. 
Greg Jeans
NS30c
Cat Nap
Nova Scotia
I’ve seen this on one other Nonsuch and plan to put one on mine.
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS 30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ (_~ (_~ (_~ (_~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Greg, I love it! What size snubber do you use?
How smart !! I’ll get to this ASAP.
Really … how darn smart.
Ernie A. in Torornto
Just match it to your sheet line size, I think there were three sizes available.
Another great use for them is when rafting up. Put one on the aft mooring line (many folks tie the aft line directly stern to stern to make it easier going between boats) it removes the shock of the boats moving in different directions.
Greg Jeans
Cat Nap
NS30c
Nova Scotia
The original mooring snubbers illustrated were made in Sweden, now the WM ones are made in China and are less UV proof. A naugahide jacket is now needed. I found decent quality smaller snubbers in 48N sailing magazine.
Dick Lane
Dick,
What is the brand of the snubbers you found in 48N?
Tim in STL
White O’morn NS26U
Tim, I don’t recall since it was 5 or 6 yrs ago but I’ll look in the July issue.
Dick