Excerpted from The Handbook of Sailing
When sailing downwind there is always the danger of an accidental jibe. One way to prevent this occurring is to rig a boom preventer which fixes the boom on one side of the boat.
Once you have rigged the line, ease out the mainsheet until the boom is out slightly too far and then pull in the boom preventer until it is just taut and secure it. The mainsheet is then pulled in to fix the boom in position. To jibe deliberately you must of course remove the boom preventer first and then fix it in position on the new side after the jibe. Another practice is to shackle the boom vang to a pad-eye abaft the shroud or to a toe rail or stanchion ring.
For more hints and tips on sailing techniques for both the beginner and experienced sailor, purchase Bob Bond’s The Handbook of Sailing from Practical Sailor.
