I should have prefixed my "boom/back-stay snag" with - "when my vang
and mounts tear loose at the boom" (the pop-revited checkplate separates
from the boom) which happened continually in heavy winds while racing
YUUKI.
The tremendous loading of the sail area on runs, combined with steep
tilt of boat on the face of steep swells, and reduction of rudder
efficiency as boat accelerates above hull speed has snapped many of my
vang fittings. Actually, 'twas stupid and reckless of us to sail YUUKI
like that but we sure ate up Montgomery 17's! 'Twas sure fun at the
time!
But YES! Imagine your vang separating on a great downwind run, and an
unexpected wind shift and uncontrolled jibe with boom arching high over
your head (45 degrees or more!) and catching the backstay with the boat
accelerating off the back of a steep wave! One time, the boat became so
overpowered, rudder became marginal in maintaining steerage and than
split in half when rounding the leward mark! We quickly built a
massive rudder that night (race next day) to allow such
sailing/hydraulic pressures. Will show you the big ply-dinosaur rudder
when you come by! Now have a reasonable mahogony one back on.
These are the "on the edge experiences" that keel boats of the same size
as our boats do not have to be concerned about! And I would never
trust my vang to hold the massive area of the main on a run and a
surprise jibe under the above conditions! My two cents anyway!!
Bottom line - I second your favorite add-on as telltales on the sail,
shrouds, EVERYWHERE as they will also warn of possible jibe! And CD
player, all your add-ons are essentials!
More later! Larry of Monterey YUUKI HMS18