Phil M wrote:
I quit using a vang a few years ago. I'm not sure the vang accomplishes very much, so it's one less thing to adjust.
That depends on whether you have a topping lift or not. If the topping lift is pulling the end of the boom too high, the boom vang can do precious little to adjust the shape of the sail
But then again, if if the boom's too low, it rubs against the edge of the bimini and that sucks, too
Phil M wrote:
I quit using a vang a few years ago. I'm not sure the vang accomplishes very much, so it's one less thing to adjust.
That depends on whether you have a topping lift or not. If the topping lift is pulling the end of the boom too high, the boom vang can do precious little to adjust the shape of the sail
But then again, if if the boom's too low, it rubs against the edge of the bimini and that sucks, too
Even if you don't tweak for performance, the vang is useful when sailing downwind, especially if there's any waves or wakes. The boom will pump as the mast oscillates, and the vang helps keep it still. If nothing else, it's less annoying. I don't use mine much, but there are times when it's nice to have, even if I'm not worried about squeezing the last bit of performance from my blown-out old main.
BOAT wrote:Yes, I have read comments here about muscle head mains. Everyone who has one does not seem to rave about any extra performance. I assume it's not really a good idea for the MAC since the rig is already too tall.
As my sail gets older I am forced to consider adding a vang - I have caught myself pulling on the end of the boom every now and then to check the luff - that's an old habit from sailing dinghies as a kid.
I guess it's time for a vang.
I quit using a vang a few years ago. I'm not sure the vang accomplishes very much, so it's one less thing to adjust.
That's good to know - thanks. I would rather not mess with a vang if it has little effect. The main sheet is attached so close to the middle of the boom I guess it's not going to matter much when close hauled (which is the only time I ever worry about a flat sail).
Phil M wrote:
I quit using a vang a few years ago. I'm not sure the vang accomplishes very much, so it's one less thing to adjust.
That depends on whether you have a topping lift or not. If the topping lift is pulling the end of the boom too high, the boom vang can do precious little to adjust the shape of the sail
But then again, if if the boom's too low, it rubs against the edge of the bimini and that sucks, too
When I sail, the topping lift hangs loose (the end tied so that there is no tension on the line). I don't want it interfering with the boom, and thus sail shape. When sailing downwind, the boom vang keeps the boom from lifting. The mainsheet is extended so far that it only counters laterial force, not vertical.
The boat with the weighted daggerboard was, I believe, the Black Pearl.
Not only was the daggerboard weighted, but the hull area around the daggerboard slot
was reinforced as well. This was done at the factory when the hull was layed. I believe it also had several other mods done to it.
The last I knew, the boat was for sale about 1-2 years ago.
When I sail, the topping lift hangs loose (the end tied so that there is no tension on the line). I don't want it interfering with the boom, and thus sail shape. When sailing downwind, the boom vang keeps the boom from lifting. The mainsheet is extended so far that it only counters laterial force, not vertical.
Ray
I use a boom kicker instead of a topping lift.
Perhaps when sailing downwind a boom Vang might keep the boom from lifting. Good point. There would have to be a very good balance between how far the mainsheet is let out and how tight the boom vang is. The force exerted on the main sheet at the end of the Boom would be much smaller compared to the significant force exerted on a boom Vang that was too tight.
But then again I am not going to win any races either without a properly tensioned boom vang.
I went ahead and ordered a vang. It should be here soon. they are really cheap at BWY and it's just one click connection on the bottom for the M boat so I really have no excuse anymore. My reason is because I would like to improve speed when sailing abeam of the wind - with the boom out like that I need to get the sail tightened up a bit. Usually I just hang on the end of the boom until the sail shakes out but as the sail gets older it gets springier and it does not shake out as well as it used to.
If you are thinking on upgrading to a vang a good way is to move your main sheet control to the vang. Then buy a good main sheet traveler.
I moved my vang to the back stay and made it 8 to 1, Moved the main to the vang and made it 8 to 1, then put a better blocks on the main sheet at 4 to 1 still.
grady wrote:If you are thinking on upgrading to a vang a good way is to move your main sheet control to the vang. Then buy a good main sheet traveler.
I moved my vang to the back stay and made it 8 to 1, Moved the main to the vang and made it 8 to 1, then put a better blocks on the main sheet at 4 to 1 still.
All good ideas Grady.
I have the M boat so the stock vang up near the mast is fine for everything I will be doing because the M boat already has the main-sheet block on a traveler and it's also already almost near the middle of the boom. That's one of the good things about the M boat is that is had the sheet block nearly in the middle of the boom. That makes the traveler a lot more effective than if it were at the end of the boom.
On the M you just raise the sail (first) and then cinch up the vang. The vang is a bit of a hassle because you need to release it before you can lower sails or reef or any of that kind of stuff (and why I have not bothered with one for so long).
Now that I am transitioning from day sailing to cruising I will get a lot more use out of a vang with the least hassle. Mostly long legs on the AP now.
Isn't the picture from Photobucket supposed to just show up automatically on our screens? I was looking for a boom Vang but all I got was a nice looking sailboat.
Hey John, how did you manage to lose the foam that goes on the backrest tube on your starboard stern rail seat?
It had degraded from the sun so I took it off its just foam pool noodles I have extra matching sunbrella & was going to get covers made for them just never got around to it yet
Isn't the picture from Photobucket supposed to just show up automatically on our screens? I was looking for a boom Vang but all I got was a nice looking sailboat.
open the pic & look @ just under the boom where it connects to the mast u,ll see a metal cylinder diagonally between the mast base going up to the boom about a 1/4 way from the front of the boom
HI HIGHLANDER and all the rest of the Madd Men Of Ontario : ) How are you keeping the Raccoon stripes so black and shiny??? UP DATE : We thought we would be sailing year round after we moved to SW Florida and living on the water blablabla but I got hurt 2 months after our arrival 4 years ago and I am just now looking at getting the M Back in the water since 2011..
vang accomplishes very much, so it's one less thing to adjust.
I don't use mine much, but there are times when it's nice to have, even if I'm not worried about squeezing the last bit of performance from my blown-out old main.
