Learning to Sail: How to Sail Downwind using the Traveler, Preventer and Whisker pole

[@evanbetter]

I love the fact, that your videos are bringing it to the point in short time while still providing complete information to get the idea perfectly. Thanks a lot!

[@eljefe1153]

Thanks for the video. I prefer to attach the boom preventer in front of the mast.

[@ilesfarms1314]

I'm new to sailing and just purchased my first sailboat (35 years of power boating). Thank you Cap'n Lang for making this very easy to understand. I refer back to your videos many times. Well done Sir!

[@End_Domestic_Violence]

This is sterling stuff, wot! Jolly clearly explained. I'm going to make a whisker pole from my mop until I can afford a proper one. My boat's set up very simply, but I'm slowly adding bits and pieces to make it faster. This is a wonderful channel and very helpful. Cheerio!😆

[@videog7747]

Thank you Cap'n Lang for making this very understandable. Nicely done Sir!

[@ketchingmy2ndwindsvchopsticks]

Well done!!! Thanks for the instruction!!!

[@Wataheadable]

Easily the best video on these techniques.

[@steveburg5273]

From a non sailor, these videos are very informative.

[@CaptainLang]

Thank you. Your comment is greatly appreciated.

[@gaivu343]

Good job Captain Lang 👍👍👍

[@seanlehmann4235]

Nice videos, concise and informative. I enjoy your presentation.

[@leleetran9738]

Just another nice video from Captain Lang . Thanks again.

[@koffibanan3099]

Thanks!! Great videos!

[@TroyReedUTUBE]

Love the preventer info. I was not familiar with that concept

[@lubberwalker]

But my preference is to rig it further forward ( to a block or through a cleat) AND then lead it back to be secured on a cleat or winch in the cockpit. This would enable its easy release (if something happens) without the need to leave the cockpit (or helm). Also, I don't really want to have to send crew forward before being able to gybe especially if lone sailing or the wind builds and overpowers the main. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4KnpWSOoJxng80 Skipper Lang has a halfway house solution that he's comfortable with but this does get the basic preventer concept across.

[@vincentyarbrough2072]

I have the exact same boat but not as quite beautiful as yours, thank you for making these videos!!

[@CaptainLang]

I treat my boat like many treat there vintage sports car. I am always waxing and polishing and restoring.

[@nanubhana]

Hi there, absolutely love your tutorials. I have a question, what doe you call the blocks that you attached to the the stainless steel tubing used to attach Genoa sheet. Please let me know.

[@CaptainLang]

To tell you the truth I don't know I just found them in a marine store and they were exactly what I needed so I bought them.

[@seeuathebeach]

Great clear video thanks. I have a safety question about the preventer though: won't the boom reach the centreline of the boat in case of an accidental jibe? How can a preventer rigged amidship can safely do its job?

[@CaptainLang]

If you watch carefully you will notice I have attached the preventer at the widest part of the boat and that it is also enough forward to pull the boom outward. Pulling it tight against the main sheet locks the boom in position so it can't move. Because it can't move at all it can't swing in an accidental jib. The sail can get back winded in an accidental jib but the boom won't move.

[@molivera11]

@@CaptainLang I agree with Seeuathebeack. The video does show that the boom could actually swing towards the centerline. To "prevent" that, I'd attach the preventer further fore, towards the middle of the boom, and then have it lay as vertically possible to the toerail ... or attach the preventer further up the toerail.

[@andrewbrown2063]

The preventer should be always from the back of the boom and lead through a block as far forward as possible then back to the cockpit. The angle that the line passes around the forward block should be as wide as possible, not 180 degrees. These things all reduce the loading in a crash gybe.

[@ejdd3442]

Professional well conveyed, thank you

[@martyhownice2441]

Great video, but i did not understand the main point that is hinted on in the title. So when sailing downwind the traveller goes all the way out (leewards)? If so, does that apply to any wind strength?

[@CaptainLang]

Yes... You want the boom as far out as your boat is designed to put it. In strong winds you will want to shorten sail... Watch my reefing video for complete instructions.

[@rickytran5216]

FANTASTIC VIDEO!!!

[@svdaedalus700]

Bit spoiled with that furler it seems. 😉 I see more hank ons in the under 30 class. Don’t see why the furling is necessary. But overall great video and appreciate the thought and effort to capture and post. Keep it up!

[@SOLDOZER]

Dont be jealous. Only crap small boats use hank on.

[@Heypockeyway]

@@SOLDOZER You just gave away your inexperience!

[@corsair707]

Saving the best for last, I do love me a good wing and wing but it's good to know broad/beam reaches are faster as the general rule.

[@SuperNova-Steve]

Some good tips thanks. A question, is it absolutely necessary to have the spare halyard connected to the whisker pole to draw it up as shown? If yes, why?

[@CaptainLang]

If you have a smaller boat with a light weight Whisker Pole you don't need To use Is an extra haylard you can just Your own muscle to put it in place. When jibbing 1st remove the whisker Pole then controlled jibe, pull the jib round (no need to furl) then and reattached the whisker Pole.

[@SuperNova-Steve]

@@CaptainLang, okay thanks that makes sense. I have a home made whisker pole I use on a 28’ so it is very light. Appreciate the reply.

[@mopedinthemalverns6661]

HI - why does the mainsail of large sailing vessel not move out to 90 degrees like the boom on a dinghy? I cian't find any explanation of the two types of sailing! You never really see big boats with the boom all the way out. Subscribed and liked.

[@CaptainLang]

Many large modern boats have back swept spreaders. This also puts the standing rigging further aft. This is the case on my boat. I can only put my boom out about 60°. The advantage is that there is less rigging towards the bow. This reduces or eliminates the need for a back stay.

[@dmitripogosian5084]

You start shafing main sail on the spreaders (which dinghies usually do not have)

[@maxphunn6189]

I have a question about where you attach the lifting halyard to the whisker pole. At 1:17, you are attaching the halyard to a loop at the front end of the whisker pole. Then at 1:21 it appears that the halyard is attached to a line that runs front to rear of the whisker pole. Am I missing something?

[@CaptainLang]

Sorry for the following answer. It all depends on the brand, the design and how you mount and store your whisker pole on the boat. I hope my video gave you enough understanding on how to use the whisker Pole that you will be able to adapt whatever whisker pole you have for your boat.

[@petergarland7995]

If there is a crash gybe with the preventer rigged as such will it not take out your upoer lifeline ?

[@CaptainLang]

@petergarland7995 The boom is locked down so tight that it can't move at all. So a "crash gybe" would not take out the upper lifeline.

[@jasonfrodoman1316]

My 70's 35' coastal cruiser didn't come with a traveller. I think a lot of cruisers back then didn't use them. Not sure if because it interfered with companionway access?

[@CaptainLang]

If you use a preventer and adjust the Boom vang you can get about the same control as with a traveler.

[@jasonfrodoman1316]

@@CaptainLang no boom vang either. 3 single blocks on boom feeding a block on the deck with sheet running to a winch. I got rid of that and put triple block with cam mainsheet on the end of the boom to eye installed in cockpit near wheel so i can reach it solo. Still no traveller. I like your idea. Everybody wants a traveller, but for cruising, I dont believe necessary to have one. Thanks for making your videos. And for your reply too. Cheers.

[@ratusbagus]

I think the adverse curve of the traveller possibly acts as a slower down in the event of accidental release of the traveller to mitigated shock to the end of track buffers.

[@CaptainLang]

That's a good point...However, if there was an accidental release in strong winds the increasing sheet tension could break the synthetic ball bearings in the traveler car. I have seen this first hand which is why I make a big deal about it. Thank you for your comment... It shows your a "thinking" sailor which is better than just blindly following rules.

[@ratusbagus]

@@CaptainLang thinking about sailing is mostly all I can do. I'm a carer for my 21 year old lad. Almost housebound. So I don't sail much at all. Always relearning the same basics and living thru KZbin. But the shaky marriage is becoming untenable and so at 65 my life is changing and I will by my first boat soon. A lot of very big changes (in fact everything) and I hope I survive the shock load you've described. Too much info.

[@CaptainLang]

Stress can kill...Make taking care of your self a priority. Wish you the best.

[@MattO109]

Is it entirely necessary for a whisker pole? Ive gown wing to wing with my jib without a whisker pole, does it help in higher winds?

[@CaptainLang]

I know of several sailors who don't even own a whisker pole. So, yes you can do without. However, you get more control, better sail shape and you have less collapses of the head sail when sailing wing on wing. When the wind builds up to the point it's time to reef I take the pole down.

[@17quarters48]

What antenna is that? I'm KG7ZPR I have a Catalina 36 trying to figure out best antenna setup

[@CaptainLang]

It is a Hustler antenna with subsections of 10, 20 and 40 meter bands. I get good bandwidth so I do not need a antenna tuner. I have worked the South of France, Japan and even Australia with my 100 watt radio and this antenna. ki6une

[@xfoxtrotwiskeykilo995]

CHEERS!

[@carsmotorcycles3327]

Tack!

[@CaptainLang]

I apologize for taking so long to thank you. KZbin keeps making changes and I find it difficult to keep up. So I may be a little late, but thank you very much. I hope to make many more videos this summer.

[@scarab371]

Hello Captain Lang, what type of blocks do you use to make such a preventer ?

[@CaptainLang]

Those blocks are very old and came with my boat when I purchased it...so I don't know the brand. But, they are standard set that could be used for many things like a boomvang. I am using a 4 to 1 ratio which is more leverage than I need for my size boat. When I found the blocks in storage I just put snap shackles on each end. I hope that helps.

[@flhtcui2000]

Noticed the Ham Radio Hustler antennas on the rear.

[@CaptainLang]

I think it works better than an insulated backstay. I prefer a tuned antenna to an antenna tuner. KI6UNE

[@fabiocaetanofigueiredo1353]

Great video! What boat is yours, please? Thanks!

[@CaptainLang]

1982 Lancer 30 (foot)

[@fabiocaetanofigueiredo1353]

Captain Lang Sailing tutorials Thanks for the info, congrats!

[@Kamabushi999]

Question: Can the whisker pole be rigged permanently? just use it instead of the genoa jib by itself.

[@CaptainLang]

When you are out to sea on a long crossing you can set up two poles, one on each side. The problem with a permanent mounting is that when you come into the slip you are too wide with even just one the pole stick out.

[@dmitripogosian5084]

won't be fun tacking upwind, I suspect

[@terrysullivan1992]

Very good videos. Unfortunately most of the boats I sail don't have much , if any, of that equipment on board i.e. preventer lines , whisker poles, etc.

[@SOLDOZER]

You don't need a fancy "preventer". Just tie some spare rope through the clew of the sail and tie off on a cleat like he did.

[@SOLDOZER]

Must not be real sailors then.

[@whitefields5595]

That preventer is wrong. It should not be attached to the toe-rail as there is no mechanical advantage. In fact it will go slack then tight, probably lifting the toe-rail. The preventer line should go forward to a bow cleat and back to the cockpit

[@CaptainLang]

I will partially agree. The presenter should be attached to cleat at the bow. however, on my boat with back-wept spreaders limiting how far I can let out the boom. This means I do have more mechanical advantage as the beam is the widest part of the boat and so the angle to the boom is better. The Toe-rail is not as strong as a cleat and in a storm the toe-rail would give way long before a cleat. You do bring up a good point...Thank you for your comment.

[@RobertBirnie]

If force were enough that the toe rail would give and instead rigged to a forward cleat, would you also need to worrying about the weight that a line from boom to bow cleat would put against the lower shrouds?

[@whitefields5595]

@@RobertBirnie Robert, the boom to bow cleat section of the preventer should be rigged so as not to touch the lower shrouds. For best mechanical advantage (=angle) it should be at the very end of the boom. It can go to any strong deck fitting at the bow. Usually the cleat on the same tack, but could be the opposite cleat, anchor capstan or whatever is good and strong. I've even seen it fixed to the anchor gear with a snatch block. Also fix it to the boom with a really long bowline loop so you can rig and release it from the cockpit if you need to without having to bring the boom in. Above all though, take the main down, pole out a huge genoa put the kettle on, relax and be safe. Sailing dead downwind is stressful, vomit-inducing and a gybe can kill you. .... why bother? After my incident I really do need convincing before I dead downwind it when cruising.

[@russellcole3549]

Pardon me, but you are putting out some bad information. Your suggestion of a preventer and a whisker pole while going downwind are fine. However, there is no need for a preventer or a whisker pole on a beam reach, as you suggest at about 1:30. To the contrary, the whisker pole will take the foil shape out of the jib, and the preventer you have rigged will drop the boom, tightening the leech, making the sail less efficient. So, no, you won't "go faster" if you set a whisker pole. Russ, Sailing Vessel Coyote, Long Beach, California

[@CaptainLang]

On my boat and others I have owned or sailed I have improved my speed setting the poll on a beam reach. I can adjust the foil shape by changing the tension. Thank you for the comment. I like it when people express different opinions it helps people think for themselves. People should test different ways to find what works on their own boat.

[@andrewbrown2063]

I have to agree that there should be no advantage to piling out on a beam reach. Sailing dead down wind is not advisable as the main is right on the edge of the wind and can easily gybe- without a preventer the flying mainsheet has killed people.

[@michaelquigley1411]

Generally your videos have good content however, after more than 50 years of competitive sailing I have never seen a whisker pole set to leeward while on a reach... never. Viewers - don't do this. Only use a whisker pole to go wing-on-wing when you're dead down wind in manageable breeze.