Sounds to me like you are describing the main sheet. A vang is a heavy tackle, often stronger than the main sheet (which hauls the sail in and out) that runs from near the base of the mast to the boom at a 30 - 40 degree angle. They never attach to the traveler although some on very sophisticated race boats go straight down to a separate circular track on deck. The purpose of the vang is to hold the boom down and put tension on the sail independent of the main sheet.
Don't try it. Your traveler is way too short to sail the way Rich describes. You'll have to sail my way until you've spent about a grand on rigging components. Don't worry, it's an easy and classic style that will get you there almost as fast. If there was another identical boat along side you would see an difference but it won't add up to much per mile. BTW if you don't have a vang as described above, do get one. Even if not used to fine tune sail shape, they will greatly reduce the loads and likelyhood of damage in an accidental jibe and make intentional jibes much easier. The also keep the boom from sawing up and down in waves.
Only if you let the sails out at the same time. We've been talking here about gusty condtions. Here's something to try in steady, moderate winds. Sail to windward and then turn immediately let the sails out and turn down wind. Then haul them in and go back to close hauled. You will see why "running off" is such a time tested tactic. The wind isn't magically increasing and decreasing as you change course. Instead, your boat speed is being added and subtracted from it. Having the jib collapse as it is blanketed behind the mainsail is also an instant reef.
This isn't a gust response tactic but something you do if there is a sudden unexpected increase in wind speed such as a squall or frontal passage that leave you with your sails mostly out and flogging while the boat was still overpowered. In such a situation, your speed and control will gradually decay without very delicate helmsmanship.
Wind speed increases as the square of the velocity. So, 20 knots with 4 due to boat speed closehauled is 24 knots and 2.3 pounds per square foot of pressure. A 5 knot speed increase brings the pressure up to 3.4 psf, nearly a 50% increase. If your heel angle was 20 degrees and you did nothing, it would go to about 30 degrees.
Running off, the boat speed, now maybe 5 knots, is subtracted so a 25 knot wind becomes 20 with a pressure of 1.6, a 30% reduction in pressure despite an increase of 5 knots in wind speed as measured by an gauge on an island nearby. Not only that, but the heeling forces of the wing pressure are dramatically reduced or eliminated.
Another aspect of these dynamics is to be very careful about heading down the lake or offshore with the wind behind you. Many people have gotten in great trouble and even died because they were sailing along pleasantly, turned around, and then wondered why the wind chose that exact moment to become a gale they couldn't deal with. It was simply these dynamics at work.
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...even my repainting ones...lol...you guys are great...thanx Roger...