I'm now considering changing the security line after having to fix the holes(which I thankfully did without installing an inspection port). But since I made all the rigging myself, I know how it works. And since I know how it works, I know it works for me.
Nickolas, I'm not sure what you mean by "It’s not about mainsheet length, mate, it’s about security line length. Do you set your mainsheet when you’re ashore? I don’t think so, but I’m sure that you set mast security rope,"
I do set my mast security rope before sailing but what's this about not setting the mainsheet before sailing? Are you meaning to tell me you cast your boat from land, neatly coiled mainsheet in hand, and proceed to rig it on the water? I prefer to do things in a way that takes the least cursing and yelling, so I rig my mainsheet on land. I rig it the same way every time so that it's the same length every time. I don't even untie the knot that rests at the becket of the aft boom block.
Mainsheet length and security line length both mattered in this situation. If the mainsheet was not tied to the back of the cockpit, than the boom would be allowed to swing out past it's normal range, thus taking tension to the security line and bending the plate. If the security line was longer, this could still happen given the mainsheet not tied to the back of the cockpit. As long as the mainsheet is tied to the back of the cockpit and is short enough to not tension the security line whist under strain, you should have no issues.
My mainsheet is long enough to sail at a broad reach when by the lee(I'm not sure the angle in degrees). The security line is, agreeably shorter than most people's but does not take tension and stays out of the way.
The issue is that the user of my boat neglected to look at the pictures of my rigging or any instructions specific to my boat I sent him prior to sailing. After getting the boat back, I could see they didn't set anything up correctly.
Rob,
It's too bad that I'm so inexperienced to not listen to internet veterans. I'll try better next time.
And I'm sorry all for the late response; I was out sailing my laser(even with my minimalist security line).