"The old 'toe rail' boats don't have the pretty teak toe rail on them . . . but having seen both . . . I prefer the metal toe rails. Nothing to varnish and lots of places to attach things." Ditto, Howard. --Craig ----- Original Message ----- From: "Howard Audsley" <haudsley@tranquility.net> To: "For and about Montgomery Sailboats" <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 2004 9:47 PM Subject: Preventer My boom vang is also rigged with a snap shackle on both ends, so I can take the lower end to the toe rail if I want to rig it as a preventer. In addition to acting as a preventer, it works better as a vang to keep the boom from lifting. I also carry some heavy black rubber truck tarp straps. They are quick to setup and work ok in lighter air.....but I would not trust them in a blow....and would not want to be anywhere near one if it ever gave way in a blow, nor would I want to be anywhere near the boom if it gave way and jibed in heavy air. The old "toe rail" boats don't have the pretty teak toe rail on them.....but having seen both....I prefer the metal toe rails. Nothing to varnish and lots of places to attach things. Howard M17, #278 Audasea