Product, mounting and price comparisons
Previous boom brakes relied on controlling the tautness of the
preventer line to control friction. This meant that one end of
the preventer line had to be taken round a heavy duty pulley block
at the side of the boat, and back to a winch in the cockpit.
With these devices, when the boom swings away from the side with
the pulley block, all the considerable load in the preventer line
has to be taken by both the block and the cockpit winch. And because
the preventer line changes in length as the boom swings, it needs
quite a knack to maintain control.
And when the boom swings the other way, the characteristics are
different, so a different knack is required. Not easy to remember,
and particularly difficult for untrained crew.
The Boomlock system eliminates these problems by using
a separate light control line, to control friction between
the preventer line and the Boomlock drum. This light control
line runs forward to the mast and then back to the cockpit. As
it is entirely separate from the preventer line, it only needs
a light pull, so it can be held by a simple cam-cleat. And operation
is symmetrical, so friction is exactly the same, whichever way
the boom swings.
Another advantage of the Boomlock control system
is that it avoids rope tails cluttering up the cockpit, and has
no control ropes crossing the side deck.
Mounting comparisons
Other systems require a spare mounting bail to be available in
the boom track. If one is not available, it may be necessary to
remove the boom end cap and other bails already in the track,
to fit an extra one in. The special Boomlock track
mounting can be inserted anywhere into the track, without
affecting anything else. It also spreads the load along a much
greater length of track (90mm). If there is no track in your boom
(or if your boom is of a type for which we do not make our special
mounting) we can supply an alternative
mounting for no extra cost, which can easily be shaped to
fit the boom and then pop-riveted to it with Monel rivets.
And the Boomlock is small in size and close-coupled to
the underside of the boom, whereas other devices dangle down and
create their own hazard.
Price comparisons
When comparing prices with other products, you should look at
the cost of the total system, rather than just the Boomlock
or boom brake itself. Bear in mind that the Boomlock price
includes its boom mounting, and that this special mounting does
not involve having to dislodge any other mountings already fitted
in the boom track.
With other systems, you may need an extra winch, and you have
to include for heavy duty pulley blocks to get the preventer line
back to the cockpit, as well as for probably an extra 50% length
of that line. Our price list shows everything you need. Other
product price lists may not be so comprehensive.
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