Is this a vang?

[PabloPicasso]

Vang kicker use makes a huge difference to sail shape, control, and how much the boat rolls downwind, so can then reduce risk of unintentional gybing, not to mention mal de mer.

But perhaps these things are unimportant to some sailors, or maybe it makes less difference on some boats. Some with big genoas and small mainsail? I've found this sail control really useful, but what do I know.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

... I very much doubt it has in mast furling. ...

It has in mast furling, you can see the device on the mast in the picture, pop riveted to the aft side of the mast with the blue furling line running out from it.

 

[Daydream believer]

It has in mast furling, you can see the device on the mast in the picture, pop riveted to the aft side of the mast with the blue furling line running out from it.

Post deleted

 

[Deleted member 36384]

As confirmed by the Op in #3

I responded to Post 8 who clearly did not understand the fact that the boat has a mainsail in mast reefing system. Curious why you never responded to post number 8 the same way that you have to mine, a queer logic being applied here?

 

[Daydream believer]

I responded to Post 8 who clearly did not understand the fact that the boat has a mainsail in mast reefing system. Curious why you never responded to post number 8 the same way that you have to mine, a queer logic being applied here?

I did not immediately find #8.
There was no criticism of you. Just avoiding the detective work I will delete my post if it makes you happier

 

[Deleted member 36384]

No need for deletion.

 

[Fantasie 19]

Nice, simple explanatory sketch!

What stopes the reefing claw, sliding (ooching?) aft and loosening the kicker/vang - or is the reefing claw 'tied' to the top block, immediately adjacent ?? What was the intended use fo the keyhole plate?

Jonathan

Probably been answered by cleverer folks than me, but the claw is held in place by the kicker in one direction, and the line to the swivel on the end of the boom, in the the other

Between those two, and how you tension them, you can position the claw anywhere you want along the boom - on my (60's vintage) boat the boom had indications of a traditional kicker attachment point so I keep the claw in the same kind of position...