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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Boom Vang

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Cbucki1
1st Mate

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USA
47 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/18/2008 : 10:37:02

Hey Folks,

The Previous Owner was not much for sail tuning and as such never rigged up a boom vang.

Any suggestions for how to rig one up? There does not appear to be anything along the boom or bottom of the mast to connect to.

Any picutues would be greatly appreciated too.

Thanks in advance!

Chuck

chuck buck
Summit Oasis
78 Catalina 25
Denver Colorado

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 04/18/2008 : 11:12:00

Chuck,

My vang is connected by two bales, one on the boom and one that is on the bolt at the mast plate.

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 04/18/2008 : 11:33:18

Get a boom kicker or rigid vang from Garhauer. You'll like not having to use that goofy pig tail on the backstay and you'll really like it when you have to shorten your main sail in a blow. No more boom flopping around in the cockpit.

Edited by - aeckhart on 04/18/2008 11:34:21

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3494 Posts

Response Posted - 04/18/2008 : 11:34:26

I installed a boom vang this past winter. Catalina Direct has the fitting that fits on the boom. You will have to drill the holes into the boom to attach the fitting with screws. The block down at the mast I was able to get the snap shackle onto the hook that is on the bottom of my mast step. If you have a bale like shown in the photo above, then that is another way to attch it.

The only issue is where to install the fitting on the boom. The length along the boom should be no shorter than the length from the mast step to the boom height. I believe I have seen some guidance on the web that indicated it should be at least 1/3 the length of the boom. I think if you are somewhere in between those two lengths, you will be okay because i wound up mounting mine the same length as the mast to the boom height and that is shorter than 1/3 the boom length. My vang is fine. One consideration is the ergonomics of how it will operate from the cockpit - Some have the line coming back to the cockpit. But if you do not, then you may find it a bit tough to adjust depending on how far away from the cockpit the fitting is mounted. just some things to consider.

Edited by - on

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 04/18/2008 : 11:55:01

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 04/18/2008 : 12:10:25

Periodic rant:
I consider BoomKickers and their ilk to be dangerous and their function far better served by an adjustable topping lift. A boom being supported by a boomkicker appears to be able to support weight but it does not, therefore when engaged in mainsail handling a person is tempted to lean on or grab the boom for some support and the boomkicker will not support you; thereby causing a person to suddenly be off balance and in danger of falling. They are also an additional hassle for pop-top use.

That said, I have a Catalina 25 specific BoomKicker I would be happy to sell for $75 plus shipping, (UPS or FedEX).

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 04/18/2008 : 12:30:09

I have the boom vang as shown in Dave's response. I have mine lead back to the cockpit to a clutch.
I sailed my first year without the boom vang, and now can't imagine sailing without one.
This simple vang (as shown above) is IMHO, the best option for use with a pop-top.
The other advantage of a boom vang is that it can be used for MOB recovery.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 04/18/2008 : 15:30:35

[quote]Originally posted by Frank Hopper
 Periodic rant:

Wow Frank, you haven't ranted for a long time. I agree with you this time. I always thought a boom kicker would be great until I leaned on a boom with one.

When you attach a bale to the boom, you will be better served by through bolting with compression sleeves inside the boom.

Edited by - on

Renzo
Admiral

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USA
621 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2008 : 07:39:49

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave5041
 [quote]Originally posted by Frank Hopper
 Periodic rant:

Wow Frank, you haven't ranted for a long time. I agree with you this time. I always thought a boom kicker would be great until I leaned on a boom with one.

When you attach a bale to the boom, you will be better served by through bolting with compression sleeves inside the boom.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
DITTO! I have almost gone overboard a couple of times when sailing on a frends boat that has a boomkicker. Also a boom kicker can't be used as a preventer or to trim the main when sailing off the wind.

Edited by - on

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2008 : 09:53:45

Why are you looking at the boom for bodily support anyway? As Stevo (Croc Hunter) once said, "BAD mistake!" ...... You know the old adage about the guy who goes to the doctor and sez, " it hurts when I do that!" and the doc sez, "well don't do that!"

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2008 : 10:32:02

It's not that the boom is a primary support device, it just sure beats nuthin when I trip over my own feet. Some are not as graceful as others.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2008 : 11:54:37

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave5041
 [quote]Originally posted by Frank Hopper
 When you attach a bale to the boom, you will be better served by through bolting with compression sleeves inside the boom.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">There's no need to crank down the nut on the bolt going thru the boom, and no inward forces (as with the spreaders), so no real need for a compression sleeve inside. Just apply a little Loctite.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2008 : 15:49:19

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by DaveR
 Why are you looking at the boom for bodily support anyway?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

On my boat, I use the boom for personal stability all the time, even when the boat is on the hard.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2008 : 16:14:01

I mis-spoke, not a compression sleeve. I meant a stainless sleeve through the boom to keep the threads off the softer aluminum, rather like a protective bushing. Not essential, but a little better for long term wear.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2008 : 16:55:23

I have nylon washers between the bale and the boom.

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 04/21/2008 : 13:23:37

Jeez, Frank, how can you condem a piece of equipment because you or someone you new was clumsy.

My rigid vang has served me well and I consider it a piece of safety gear on my boat. It is not a boomkicker but I have friends who race with them on 28 & 30 footers and have had no complaints.

Edited by - aeckhart on 04/21/2008 13:24:56

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.