proper post, Vangs

[Buck]

Has anyone got experience of using boomstruts or vangs? What are the advantages/disadvantages, do they directly replace the kicking strap, using a line to compress them?

Buck


the past is past, only the future can change.

 

[andrewhopkins]

advantage

The advantage is that they can do the job of both the kicking strap and the topping lift so there is one less line to pull!

Very useful things.

 

[davel]

Opposing Forces

I've looked at these things as well. Questions I've thought briefly about but never really concluded on are:
1. My main use of the topping lift is to "lock" the boom in position when I'm away from the boat - ie by tensioning the mainsheet against the topping lift. Wouldn't a boomstrut be too flexible to allow this.
2. If boomstrut is strong enough to support the boom, doesn't this mean that even more tension is required in the vang/mainsheet to overcome the force excerted by the boomstrut.

Dave L.
Location: 50 51.0 N 1 18.6 W

 

[andrewhopkins]

Re: Opposing Forces

The line attached to the vang has a few pulleys which means you can easily put tension on it but its still strong enough to hold the boom up without the topping lift. It has gas inside so the more it drops the more it resists it.

Interesting point about holding the boom still and yes, without any topping lift it wouldnt hold it quite as well as its just the up pressure of the strut versus the main sheet.

However, a lot of people still have the topping lift to do just this at the end of the day but during their sail, they can leave it untensioned or off completely and you can reef (i.e. drop the main) without the boom falling down.

 

[Buck]

Re: Opposing Forces

The only query I have is that there always has to be tension in the system, is this a false issue I'm creating?

Buck

the past is past, only the future can change.

 

[JeremyF]

Re: Opposing Forces

Is it true that a vang facilitates in-mast reefing to work better, i.e. to furl easier, or is it the opposite?

Jeremy Flynn

www.yacht-goldeneye.co.uk
New pics 11.02.02

 

[DoctorD]

Re: Opposing Forces

My opinion is:

Generally speaking, a solid kicker works better than a rope one in my experience. The tension in the system is beneficial in that it stops the boom falling.

I have a solid kicker and a topping lift. I only use the topping lift in harbour to lift the boom more than the solid kicker does as has been mentioned.

The only disadvantage is that you cannot scandalize the main - if that is your wont.

Graham

 

[Buck]

Re: Opposing Forces

What does scandalise the main mean?

Buck

the past is past, only the future can change.

 

[Guest]

Re: Vangs?

Since when was the vang removed from the peak of the gaff, please. What's all this about it being down at deck level, then?

The vang, as far as I know, was (still is for proper sailors) used to control the gaff, particularly on boomless and brailed sails and has been in use since the 17th century at least.

See Gaff Rig by John Leather p80.

 

[DoctorD]

Re: Opposing Forces

Ha! I know I would get this question (I diddn't know either till I read my Dad's old yachting book circa 1930).

Let go the kicker, pull on the topping lift so the boom goes right up at an angle. This is used to lower the mainsail area quickly e.g. when slowing down under sail. Still used by old gaffers and I did it once on an RYA course.

Obviously with a solid kicker the boom will only rise slightly from the horizontal so one cannot scandlize the main in this case.


Graham

 

[Guest]

Scandalising

To spill wind from the sail by lifting the topping lift at the same time as easing the sheet. It looks much better and is more efficient at the job of slowing the vessel on a gaff sail when the peak of the gaff is dipped as well. She then takes on the appearance of a duck with a broken wing!

 

[Buck]

Re: Vangs?

Dont blame me, thats what they get called in the mags, either that or boom strut.

Buck

the past is past, only the future can change.

 

[Buck]

Re: Opposing Forces

Thanks, I think this has been mentioned to me before, so that at least is one disadvantage.

Buck

the past is past, only the future can change.

 

[andrewhopkins]

Dont forget the mainsheet

This also needs releasing. The reality, therefore, is that many people will struggle to quickly scandalise the main due to the friction of all those pulleys on the kicker and mainsheet (try it next time you're in harbour).

If you were going to need it (for instance in sailing onto a pontoon 'cos your engine broke) you'd have to get all the lines free ready and maybe make up a temporary main sheet that can be freed easier.

 

[PhatBuoy]

Re: Opposing Forces

Plus you cant lash the boom to the coach roof when you need to use storm sails

 

[Guest]

Rod kickers

My Sigma, which I use for cruising and racing, has a rod kicker. A few comments picking up on others:
i) I have a topping lift but it is only normally attached to the boom in harbour. The rod kicker is fine for holding the boom up when putting the main up, reefing etc. Having a topping lift flapping around all the time is annoying and will wear the leech of the main.

ii) If I was to use the trysail, in anger, I would detach the rod from the boom (which only requires removing a clevis ring and pin) to allow the boom to be lashed down to the deck.

iii) There is enough length in the kicker to scandalise the main a bit, but if dumping the power from the main was critical, I would detach the kicker (as above). This is the one case where I use the topping lift while sailing and I would put it on in preparation for sailing alongside (either because I need to or because I am practising for when I might need to). Practising sailing alongside and on to moorings shouldn't just be for RYA courses; you never know when you will need it however well you maintain your boat and engine.

In conclusion, I think tehy are great and the limitations which people have mentioned only get in the way occasionally and are easy to work around.

Richard

 

[Guest]

In Mast Furling

I had a Maxi 33 with a rod vang and furling mainsail on charter last year. The rod vang kept the boom at the right angle to the mast when the rope was released, and this meant the sail furled away neatly without getting stuck.

 

[simonjinks]

Re: Better Shape

One of the main reasons to have a rod kicker is to improve sail shape in light airs. The kicker can ease the leech upwards to stop it stalling, which in normal circumstances would only be possible by hoisting the traveller to windward and easing the mainsheet - and in v light airs hoisting slightly on the topping lift. However if the topping lift is used, it would then create resistance to the path of air falling off the leach and reduce it's effect.

I agree with all that everyone has said on scandalising, however in light airs they can sometimes self scandalize the sail as a gas strut vang automatically jacks the boom upwards when released, something that simply releasing the kicker does not.

At the end of the day they are mostly good news and stop the boom falling on the crews head that one time a year you think the topper's lock off when in fact it isn't!

 

[Buck]

Re: Better Shape

Thanks Simon, do you think they reduce the likely hood of finding broken split pins on the deck as well? That bosuns chair was bloody un-comfortable.

Buck

the past is past, only the future can change.

 

[simonjinks]

Re: Better Shape

depends if you shake your rig apart by scandalizing the mainsail.....