I've been sailing for over 40 years, and I have a pretty jaded view of all things at this point. I'm not easily impressed by things anymore. I need to be convinced that a new way of doing things sailing related is an improvement over the way things have been done for the past few thousand years. A boom brake is one of those things.

I've followed this thread all day, and I appreciate all the responses. It's apparent that many have boom brakes confused with preventers. They are two different things. While a brake may be able to double as a preventer, the reverse is not true. And knowing the correct way to jibe (by sheeting in as the boat turns, and releasing the main sheet as the stern passes through the wind) works just fine, but is not applicable when accidently jibing.

I am leaning towards the opinion that not having a boom brake, on any boat larger than, say, 30 feet, is unseamanlike. There are simply too many instances of broken gear, injuries, and even deaths due to uncontrolled jibes not to take it seriously.

If I ever buy another boat, I will certainly buy a boom brake. :)