Accidents to men:
The principal accident that endangers the life and limb of yachtsmen is that inflicted by the main boom. I have known several men to have lost their lives through being struck by this spar, and have been twice badly hurt myself. A jibing boom comes over with tremendous force, and is likely, if it hits, either to fracture the skull or knock the unfortunate person it hits overboard. In cruising boats the foot of the sail should be cut up sufficiently aft to raise the boom above the head of the man standing in the cockpit. In very small boats this cannot be done. Another source of danger is the mainsheet. Great care should be exercised in bad weather when handling it. Also, look out for the blocks on the clew of the jib, as they will give you a nasty rap.