adjusting angle of boom

[doca]

I need to raise the end of the boom to make it more horizontal. The boom vang is an aluminium strut type. I thought they were adjustable/hydraulic but the thing won't extend. Is there something that needs to be opened/loosened or twisted to enable adjustment of the length - or are all vangs models different with their own adjustment methods ?

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Usually the angle of the boom is determined by the positioning of the fixings of the kicker on the mast and the boom.... you may need to move the boom fitting back towards the mast slightly to raise its static position

 

[dralex]

Is that with the main raised or on the mooring? Why do you need to raise it?

Sorry about the questions, but they'll help the answers.

 

[Salty John]

The sail should hold the boom horizontal, or slightly above; the vang will pull it down against the tendency to lift when you are off the wind. Without a rigid vang the boom without the sail hoisted is held horizontal by the topping lift.

 

[Rivers & creeks]

[ QUOTE ]
or are all vangs models different with their own adjustment methods ?

[/ QUOTE ] Yes they are. I had one with a spring inside, if yours is that model check the spring isn't broken. A make and model would help answer your question.

 

[homa]

You don't say but is yours already mounted on the mast/boom ?
or have you just bought it separately and still have to connect it up ?
I only ask this as when I bought mine, I thought the same. As it happens the spring inside is VERY strong. You will need a good rope purchase or to mount it on the mast/boom to compress it.
The amount by which it compresses is less than you might expect, but actually totally adequate for the job.
Boom struts are all different so without knowing what make it is, we can't be more help.

 

[Swagman]

[ QUOTE ]
You don't say but is yours already mounted on the mast/boom ?
or have you just bought it separately and still have to connect it up ?
I only ask this as when I bought mine, I thought the same. As it happens the spring inside is VERY strong. You will need a good rope purchase or to mount it on the mast/boom to compress it.
The amount by which it compresses is less than you might expect, but actually totally adequate for the job.
Boom struts are all different so without knowing what make it is, we can't be more help.

[/ QUOTE ]

I had a vang tang weld go this year and found it single handed, much easier to hoist the boom way above horizontal using a topping lift and gaining the wider distance to put the expanded vang in, than to try to compress the solid boom vang spring.

I did try that way for nearly an hour - before the penny dropped.

JOHN

 

[homa]

Yep

That's how I attached mine in the end.

Takes all sorts....!

 

[doca]

Thanks for all the replies. I have some questions to answer:
1. The name on the vang is "Istamine" (I'm not at the boat but 99% sure that's the name)
2. The reason I want to raise the cockpit end of the boom is because I have got a lovely new spray hood fiffted. When on the pontoon the end of the boom is held up by the mainsail halyard (topping lift ?) and when sailing the boom is supported/restrained at a lower level, about 150mm lower. The spray hood installer measured up with the boom held by the halyard. I could of course lower the hood when sailing but SWMBO would not approve.
3. The vang was already fitted to the mast/boom when I bought the boat.
Thanks again.

 

[Richard10002]

Sounds like the hood maker didnt do his job properly, and it may be worth telling him about your problem.

If he's a good guy, he'll sort it out... if he's not, there's not a lot you can do because he will probably be able to argue that your specification wasnt precise enough.

If he wont sort it out, anything you do with the boom will affect your sail shape, and my immediate thought is to do something which enables you to shorthen the back end of the sail, (leech?), and maybe the front end at bit.

This way, when you hoist the sail, it should pull the boom with it.

Good Luck

 

[john_morris_uk]

Now I understand your problem, I can suggest a solution.

It is fairly straightforward to have the foot of the sail cut so that the boom is higher under sail. Measure carefully how much higher you want it, and ask the sailmaker for a quote. I had this job done once and the bill was about £60 (from memory)