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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Boom Vang

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austin72
1st Mate

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48 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/26/2004 : 14:03:26

Hello All,
Just when I thought I was ready for the water, I realized that I don't have a boom vang! I know it's nowhere on the boat as I've ripped apart and reassembled the interior several times in getting her ready.
So, does a C25 need a boom vang? I would assume so but looking for confirmation. If I do, any recommended places to buy?
OK, off to become a member here. You have all been really helpful!

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5913 Posts

Response Posted - 04/26/2004 : 14:25:57

You can sail without a boom vang, but it's inefficient when sailing downwind, and when you jibe, you can't control the boom very well. You'll be a much happier sailor if you have a boom vang.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 04/26/2004 : 14:33:50

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by austin72
 ...If I do, any recommended places to buy?...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

[url="http://www.garhauermarine.com"]Garhauer Marine[/url] has reasonably priced boom vangs.

They have a 3:1 for $78.65

or a 4:1 for $94.38

Edited by - on

austin72
1st Mate

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48 Posts

Response Posted - 04/26/2004 : 14:58:22

Thanks, that's pretty much what I thought. I'm making the run from Muskegon, MI to Chicago in 2 weeks! I can just imagine reaching on a nice cold wind out of the north and being depressed because my sail looks like a pillowcase...

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1772 Posts

Response Posted - 04/26/2004 : 15:07:57

Since we're discussing boom vangs, I've got a question.

What is the proper way to mount the boom vang ... with the cam cleat on the bottom, or on the top? I've seen them mounted both ways, and I'm wondering which way is better.

Thanks!

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 04/26/2004 : 15:21:32

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Buzz Maring
 ...What is the proper way to mount the boom vang ... with the cam cleat on the bottom, or on the top? I've seen them mounted both ways, and I'm wondering which way is better...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Buzz,

Since the vang most likely will be used when the boom is off centerline (running downwind), it might be handy to have the cam cleat at the mast base so you can better reach it, but I guess its also personal preference.

On my boat, I removed the cam cleat and led the vang line aft to a cabin top clutch.

Edited by - dlucier on 04/26/2004 15:22:03

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3324 Posts

Response Posted - 04/26/2004 : 15:52:07

I agree with Don L. I brought mine back to a cam cleat at the cabin top. Using a cam cleat on the bottom of the vang makes it very difficult to tension without someone going forward (because of the acute angle the cleat makes with the deck). I also made my own vang by buying 2 double fiddle blocks with beckets and putting a turning block on the mast step. I also attached a single block to the boom bail and ran a line from the mast bail around this block to attach to the becket on the upper double block which doubled the purchase.
Derek

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 04/26/2004 : 15:56:17

Defender Marine has some really nice Lewmar blocks on clearance and Layline has some "dead enders" in about the right size range. You could probably piece one together in about 5 minutes on the internet and get something of really good quality at equal to or less than what Don has above..

http://www.layline.com/prodinfo.asp?number=LLT3011&variation=&aitem=3&mitem=4

27 Feet of 3/8ths Warpspeed - $36 bucks

-- $20 Bucks

-- $18 bucks

Total package 74 bucks and that is grabbing the first things I found on the site.

Just make sure you get the beckett on the correct block if you go this route....Becket should be on the block with the Cleat.

ps - I just noticed they have some harken stuff on the last page of the clearance department

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1772 Posts

Response Posted - 04/26/2004 : 16:14:03

Since the vang most likely will be used when the boom is off centerline (running downwind), it might be handy to have the cam cleat at the mast base so you can better reach it, but I guess its also personal preference.

On my boat, I removed the cam cleat and led the vang line aft to a cabin top clutch. - Don
----------------------------------------------------------
I agree with Don L. I brought mine back to a cam cleat at the cabin top. Using a cam cleat on the bottom of the vang makes it very difficult to tension without someone going forward (because of the acute angle the cleat makes with the deck). - Derek

Thanks, Don & Derek. I've had mine set up with the cam cleat on the bottom, but, as Derek pointed out, you've got to run forward every time you want to retension the boom vang because there doesn't seem to be any other way to disengage the cam cleat.

I'd like to run my boom vang line to the cockpit, but I can't quite visualize how the line makes the turn from the bottom of the mast to a deck organizer. 'Seems to me that the bottom block would twist outward, leaving a quarter turn in the boom vang ... is that right? Is that anything to worry about?

Also, if you run the control line for the boom vang to the cockpit, does that keep you from being able to use it as a "preventer" when sailing wing and wing?

Thanks again!

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 04/26/2004 : 16:42:17

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Buzz Maring
 ...I'd like to run my boom vang line to the cockpit, but I can't quite visualize how the line makes the turn from the bottom of the mast to a deck organizer.Seems to me that the bottom block would twist outward, leaving a quarter turn in the boom vang...is that right?...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Buzz,

Both the upper and lower blocks of my vang are oriented (turned 90 degrees) so that the line exits out of the bottom fiddle block towards the deck organizer.

Edited by - dlucier on 04/26/2004 16:45:54

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3324 Posts

Response Posted - 04/26/2004 : 17:57:54

"if you run the control line for the boom vang to the cockpit, does that keep you from being able to use it as a "preventer" when sailing wing and wing?"
Yes...unless you attach the vang to the mast base with a quick release shackle, and have about an extra 4' on the tail of the control line.
Derek

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1772 Posts

Response Posted - 04/26/2004 : 18:13:27

Buzz,

Both the upper and lower blocks of my vang are oriented (turned 90 degrees) so that the line exits out of the bottom fiddle block towards the deck organizer. - Don

Oh man ... I've looked at that thing so many times with the blocks lined fore & aft I completely forgot the top one would swivel, too ... my brain was in "park" ... how embarrassing

"if you run the control line for the boom vang to the cockpit, does that keep you from being able to use it as a "preventer" when sailing wing and wing?"
Yes...unless you attach the vang to the mast base with a quick release shackle, and have about an extra 4' on the tail of the control line. - Derek

I've already got a quick release shackle so I can get the boom vang out of the way when I want to raise the poptop, and an extra 4' of line or so doesn't sound too bad ... I guess it's doable.

Thanks guys!

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5913 Posts

Response Posted - 04/26/2004 : 18:45:17

It's best to lead the vang line aft to the cockpit, as the others have suggested. However, if you don't lead the line aft, then it's best to attach the cam cleat to the boom, rather than to the mast base. It's easier to adjust.

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 04/26/2004 : 19:10:03

I agree with Steve about attaching at the boom if using Garhauer vang. However, it is not ideal and can be improved if one is willing to do some mods on the mounting of the cam.

Removing the cam and grinding off a small portion of the mount and redrilling mounting holes will greatly improve the angle of the cam. This allows reversing the vang so the mounting block is at the mast. The angle will now be quite suitable to setting the vang with only a very slight lifting of the line and it will slap loose easily with a mild skake of the sheet.

[url="http://www.stewartfam.net/arlyn/vangmods.html"]Vang Mods[/url]

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 04/26/2004 : 23:20:10

Recycle your current mainsheet, it probably has adjustable cleat cheeks to change the angle of the dangle. Buy new Harken Airblock mainsheet blocks, live large.

Here is my old mainsheet as a vang with the cleat removed, I lead the line back to a clam cleat.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 04/27/2004 : 08:47:15

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by fhopper@mac.com
 Recycle your current mainsheet, it probably has adjustable cleat cheeks to change the angle of the dangle...Here is my old mainsheet as a vang with the cleat removed, I lead the line back to a clam cleat...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

This is exactly where my old mainsheet resides!

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 04/27/2004 : 13:52:33

Mine Old mainsheet is actually a boom downhaul, the old vang is now a cunningham...

Edited by - on

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