Patent ID: 6085679
Filing Date: 2000-07-11
Classification: B63H

Abstract:
A system for controlling swinging movements of the boom of a sail boat, said system comprising:a boom restrainer line having end sections attached to and extending from the boom to opposite sides of the sail boat, each said line end section being attached to the boom in spaced relationship to the mast, the line sections being attached to the boom equidistantly from the mast, the line sections being interconnected whereby said boom restrainer forms a loop which moves in response to boom movements;means resiliently tensioning the boom restrainer line;a friction device having at least one friction member having a first friction surface engagable with said restrainer line for producing a friction force resisting restrainer line movement;tension control means acting on said friction device for selectively increasing restrainer line tension, said increase in restrainer line tension increasing the friction force acting on the line, thereby selectively increasing resistance to movement of said line and said boom.