TIM WEBB wrote:Honestly Eric, I haven't really given the preventer much more thought, probably because I hardly ever use it. The few times I've had the main backwind with the preventer on have been in light, fluky winds, and it was easy enough to quickly release it. Didn't stress the shroud at all. I don't use it in higher winds, in fact I don't really like to wing 'n' wing in higher winds.
Your idea of a line back from a foredeck cleat would probably work. GL's idea sounds like a good alternative as well, and he's correct in that the preventer doesn't need to reach the boom end. My boom tent eyestraps are through bolted to the rubrail in the same fashion as the chainplates. TRW also came with two small horn cleats mounted to the deck just inboard of the chainplates, and the backings for those are accessible inside the cuddy. As GL also states, the key is to be able to quickly release it, whatever you end up using.
As always, I appreciate the help. Just for clarification, I posted in this DS1 thread only because it was relevant to my own questions about setting up a preventer. As my signature indicates, I only have the one DS2 (yet? thankfully? still happily married?).
My questions and thoughts about rigging a preventer began when I started studying larger boat handling on coastal and offshore cruises. This summer I really want to push my sailing skills out of my comfort zone and explore more offwind techniques. I'm thinking about a lot of reaches and runs both wing'n'wing or with spinnaker. Everything I had been reading and watching said that rigging a preventer on long downwind legs is a good idea. Plus, I want to get on some bigger water with my boat and in bigger air. Last year I was content to just pop the spinnaker out of the bag in light air. Fine for learning the procedures and such but not great for learning the finer points of sail trim, gybes, broach detection and avoidance etc.
So, although I may not actually rig a preventer (because the base of my mast and top of the cuddy are becoming really crowded with lines) I would like to have a solid plan for rigging one without too much difficulty should I chose to put one up. Whatever I end up doing though will have to have a quick release toggle snap or something easy to disconnect in a hurry and I have a few ideas for that. I have an upcoming trip to Traverse City, MI for a week with the wife and our boat. I really want to get out on Grand Traverse Bay with the DS2 and test my mettle and seamanship skills. Very, very excited about the trip.
Thanks again for the help.