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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Boom Vang

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joegeiger
1st Mate

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USA
63 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/09/2004 : 09:37:33

My '86 fin keel didn't come with a boom vang and many pictures I've seen of other people's C25s don't have boom vangs either. Why is this? Do I really need a boom vang or is it more trouble than it's worth with the pop-top. Any insight would be appreciated.

One more question...I want to replace the Main and Jib halyards. The lines are led aft to the cockpit. What type of rope is best to replace the halyards with and how much do I need(diameter and length)?

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 02/09/2004 : 10:32:51

You must have a boom vang.
Without it your boom will rise when let out over the side of the boat, inside the boat area the traveler will exert enough down force to control the lift and sale shape but when past the lifelines you will loose the ability to determine the shape of the sail. If you can’t determine the shape of the sail you are out of control of the way the boat reacts to the wind and are therefore unsafe. (and SLOW)
You must have a boom vang.
If you have seen Catalina 25s without one I would imagine you are looking at boats which use their pop-tops and have the vang disconnected at the dock so the pop-top can lift. There are some people who use solid vangs so that they can get rid of their topping lift, but I have yet to see one that is as easy to disconnect and get out of the way as the traditional block and tackle purchase. Quite frankly, it is inconceivable that your boat did not come with one. If you really can’t find it then if I were you, I would move my mainsheet to the vang position and take the opportunity to go with the new Carbo Blocks from Harken and a lighter and stronger line for my mainsheet. One of the things our old boats must contend with is the state of technology when they were built. We suffer in light air because of the size of the old mainsheet line and the blocks that came with our boats, the line is heavy and disturbs the sailshape in light air. The new stronger smaller lines would remove a lot of weight and be a real upgrade for the boat.
You must have a boom vang.

For halyards I purchased 75' of 1/4 Ultra Tech @ 91cents a foot, It is light, easy to handle and strong enought to lift the boat with. http://www.layline.com/prodinfo.asp?number=UT14& variation=& aitem=12& mitem=38

edit
Steve is absolutely right about the selection process of the new halyards, I was installing all of my hardware new so I am confident that my new Spinlock XAS clutches will hold the 1/4" line, The old stock Spinlock clutches will not hold that small a line well. You are installing a system, not an item.

Edited by - Frank Hopper on 02/09/2004 10:45:14

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5909 Posts

Response Posted - 02/09/2004 : 10:38:06

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">My '86 fin keel didn't come with a boom vang and many pictures I've seen of other people's C25s don't have boom vangs either. Why is this? <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
The boom vang was an option on a new boat.
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Do I really need a boom vang or is it more trouble than it's worth with the pop-top.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Most agree that a boom vang is basic equipment that every sailboat should have. It helps control the boom, so that it doesn't lift when you gybe, and it helps shape the sail correctly, so that you have better speed and better pointing ability. Adding one is very easy, if you get the right hardware, and not terribly expensive. Just drill a hole through the mast and another one through the boom, bolt on a couple of bales, attach the boom vang to the bales and you're good to go.

Although some people sail with the pop top raised, I don't like the idea. The pop top interferes with the boom vang and can easily snag the mainsheet, and the pop top is known to close unexpectedly if it isn't well secured in place.

In fresh winds, it creates much more windage. When the pop top is raised, it is more difficult and probably more hazardous if you have to go forward, because, if the boat lurches, your instinct is to grab it, but it isn't well designed to take the stresses of a 200 lb. person's weight. Besides, it is so easy to take it down and put it back up, there isn't a very good excuse for leaving it up while you sail.
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I want to replace the Main and Jib halyards. The lines are led aft to the cockpit. What type of rope is best to replace the halyards with and how much do I need(diameter and length)?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I can't tell you the brand and specs, but you want to use very low stretch line. The best thing to do is to measure your existing lines, because halyards that have been led to the cockpit are a custom installation. The length depends on how they are run, and whether your boat is a tall or standard rig. The diameter depends on the type of stopper hardware used by the PO. If you rely on the length or diameter that someone else has on his boat, you could end up with halyards that are one foot too short, or that your stoppers won't grip. If you replace what you have, you know it will fit.

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3323 Posts

Response Posted - 02/09/2004 : 10:50:38

Joe - I've just replaced both main & jib halyards on "This Side Up".
I used 3/16" V-12 center spliced into 5/16" XLS, 70' for each (I think the actual measurements are 29' of V12 and 41' of XLS). I got them from Layline (800-542-5463) - Hal there is knowlegeable about a C25. The breaing strength of this V12 3/16" is 4600 lbs - 2 & 1/2 times that of the original wire halyards. Expensive at $150 each (including the shackles and splices) but worth it.

Derek

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 02/09/2004 : 11:27:56

SailNet is having one of their every other month [url="http://www.sailnet.com/store/selectlist.cfm?list_id=278"]Cordage Sales[/url] right now. The 5/16" Sta-Set X green fleck is priced at .40/ft compared to West Marine at .89/ft.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 02/09/2004 : 11:29:06

Derek has a really nice setup, very small line to save weight aloft spliced to fatty line for easy handling. Very nice. I compromised with the 1/4" and tie the old shackles from the old halyards on with a bowline. I figure in light air the 1/4 will feel ok and in heavy air I will have gloves on, (if I am racing it is my crew's problem

) Both of my halyards together were $137 total. I ordered 75' each because I was visualizing in my head, If Derek says 70' will do it, then it will do it, reducing the 1/4" Ultra tech another $9. Steve and Derek are the two premier racers in the organization.

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 02/09/2004 : 15:51:52

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by joegeiger
. . . or is it more trouble than it's worth with the pop-top. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

You can eliminate the hassle of attaching/unattaching the boom vang by using snap shackles on each end.

Edited by - on

osmepneo
Past Commodore

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USA
1420 Posts

Response Posted - 02/09/2004 : 16:57:21

IMHO when you are sailing you do not want the pop top up, and you do want a boom vang to hold the boom down when you are off wind. It is a vital instrument for sail shape and safety, and as some said, for speed.

The incovenience of the boom vang comes when you are moored or motoring. Then you might want to pop the top, and vang is in the way. OJ suggested snap shackles on each end, so that you can easily disconnect and reconnect the boom vang when you want to pop the top. The other alternative is to make sure your boom vang control line is long enough to loosen completely when you pop the top.

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3323 Posts

Response Posted - 02/09/2004 : 17:03:03

Thanks for the compliment, Jerry!

I think that you have chosen your 1/4" of "regular" line well (as opposed to hi-tech stuff).
IMHO 1/4" is adequate for halyards, 5/16" is for worriers and 3/8 is definitely overkill...

Derek

Edited by - on

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