I own a Coronado 15, which has high performance sails and is awesome in light wind. Now that fall is here, the wind is pretty heavy, and I've found that without a boom vang (I only have a traveler on my boom) the vertical movement of my boom is unnerving, especially on a run in heavy, shifting, wind. How hard and expensive is it to install a boom vang? Any other suggestions? Thanks, Faith Is This Love
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Doug T.
Get a vang!!!
A vang will be a big help! You can get a small-boat vang for about $100 boom and mast fittings. A small boom bail ("U"- or "V"-shape" rod that fits on your boom) is less than $10. A padeye at the base of the mast should cost also cost less than $10. (By the way, where do you sail? On the Potomac? I frequently sail with some friends that have Lightnings at the Washington Sailing Marina.)
A vang will be a big help! You can get a small-boat vang for about $100 boom and mast fittings. A small boom bail ("U"- or "V"-shape" rod that fits on your boom) is less than $10. A padeye at the base of the mast should cost also cost less than $10. (By the way, where do you sail? On the Potomac? I frequently sail with some friends that have Lightnings at the Washington Sailing Marina.)
Hey Doug T
How do you cope with the noise at National Airport? I used to live out in Gaithersburg and I sailed out of WSM once and swore I'd never do it again. These days when I'm in DC and have the time to go sailing, I go down to Belle Haven Marina, just south of the Wilson Bridge. It's LOT quieter and they have Flying Scots (which I think is a super little boat). I will admit that the scenery further up the river is nicer though, especially on a summer or fall evening! Peter H23 "Raven"
How do you cope with the noise at National Airport? I used to live out in Gaithersburg and I sailed out of WSM once and swore I'd never do it again. These days when I'm in DC and have the time to go sailing, I go down to Belle Haven Marina, just south of the Wilson Bridge. It's LOT quieter and they have Flying Scots (which I think is a super little boat). I will admit that the scenery further up the river is nicer though, especially on a summer or fall evening! Peter H23 "Raven"
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Faith Dillard-Azzolina
Thanks!
I'll do that, I like the thought of not worrying about my mast, boom, or my head when the winds become unruly. I sail at Washington Sailing Marina, and keep my toy there too. It's affordable, close to GW Hospital (I'm an ER resident there) - so if I'm not too tired after work I'm in the water! Yeah, it gets noisy, but the views are great, Old Town Alexandria is close as is Hanes point. The most annoying thing I've found is the lack of deep water. The winds are wierd too, but I figure that just makes me a better sailor. I'm new to sailing (first time to sail a sunfish was in March), and need to go ahead and join SCOW to broaden my experience. Thanks again - see you on the river! Faith Is This Love
I'll do that, I like the thought of not worrying about my mast, boom, or my head when the winds become unruly. I sail at Washington Sailing Marina, and keep my toy there too. It's affordable, close to GW Hospital (I'm an ER resident there) - so if I'm not too tired after work I'm in the water! Yeah, it gets noisy, but the views are great, Old Town Alexandria is close as is Hanes point. The most annoying thing I've found is the lack of deep water. The winds are wierd too, but I figure that just makes me a better sailor. I'm new to sailing (first time to sail a sunfish was in March), and need to go ahead and join SCOW to broaden my experience. Thanks again - see you on the river! Faith Is This Love
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Doug T.
Peter
Not as many planes these days since 9/11 :-( Still, you get used to the noise. It's not the best place in the world to sail (our Hunter's in Deale, MD), but I really enjoy racing the Lightnings -- you can learn a lot about sailing with these dingies. We're out there most Sundays in the Spring and Fall and many Wednesday evenings. SCOW has some Flying Scots for rent too. I haven't gotten around to getting "certified", but my friend has and we take them out now and then. Their fun for a day sail, but the Lightnings are better for racing. If you're out there this Sunday, stop by and say hi! We generally get started around 10:00, have two races, eat lunch on the boats, race once more, and then come back in for a BBQ. We'll find a spot for you on a boat if someone needs extra crew (we have to have at least three on each boat) It's going to be cold as hell, but I'm on the Race Committee boat this weekend so at least I probably won't get wet. I'll be the guy with the bald head, beard, and icicles.
Not as many planes these days since 9/11 :-( Still, you get used to the noise. It's not the best place in the world to sail (our Hunter's in Deale, MD), but I really enjoy racing the Lightnings -- you can learn a lot about sailing with these dingies. We're out there most Sundays in the Spring and Fall and many Wednesday evenings. SCOW has some Flying Scots for rent too. I haven't gotten around to getting "certified", but my friend has and we take them out now and then. Their fun for a day sail, but the Lightnings are better for racing. If you're out there this Sunday, stop by and say hi! We generally get started around 10:00, have two races, eat lunch on the boats, race once more, and then come back in for a BBQ. We'll find a spot for you on a boat if someone needs extra crew (we have to have at least three on each boat) It's going to be cold as hell, but I'm on the Race Committee boat this weekend so at least I probably won't get wet. I'll be the guy with the bald head, beard, and icicles.
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Bill O'Donovan
By all means
Install the vang, for it will flatten out the sail and provide more control in heavier wind.
Install the vang, for it will flatten out the sail and provide more control in heavier wind.
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Bob Finley
Boom Vang
And here's how you do it to build your own boom vang. It works real good, will last a long time and costs a lot less. I built this one for my Precision 16 last summer and it is great. The parts that you will need are: Ronstan Model 186 Fiddle $15.99 Harken No. 245 Fiddle/V jam $18.29 2ea Ronstan RF180 light blk hngr $$3.59 optional 2ea Wichd #1432 $9.79 Mount the hangers as close to the bottom of the mast as possible and place the one on the boom at the same distance out that the one on the mast is down below boom position. This gives a 45 degree angle for the line. Be sure to pre-drill the holes because the stainless screws pop a head off in a jiffy when screwing them in. I always mount the pull block (vjam) at the lower end because that lets me pull back rather than down. For the line, I used a piece of the old halyard about 10 feet long. You will love it and you have done it yourself AND saved a few bucks. All of the prices above are from West Marine. Great folks and lots of help. take a look at the photos on the site below. Email if you have any questions. http://www.geocities.com/bobf38_1999/vang1.jpg http://www.geocities.com/bobf38_1999/vang1.jpg Bob
And here's how you do it to build your own boom vang. It works real good, will last a long time and costs a lot less. I built this one for my Precision 16 last summer and it is great. The parts that you will need are: Ronstan Model 186 Fiddle $15.99 Harken No. 245 Fiddle/V jam $18.29 2ea Ronstan RF180 light blk hngr $$3.59 optional 2ea Wichd #1432 $9.79 Mount the hangers as close to the bottom of the mast as possible and place the one on the boom at the same distance out that the one on the mast is down below boom position. This gives a 45 degree angle for the line. Be sure to pre-drill the holes because the stainless screws pop a head off in a jiffy when screwing them in. I always mount the pull block (vjam) at the lower end because that lets me pull back rather than down. For the line, I used a piece of the old halyard about 10 feet long. You will love it and you have done it yourself AND saved a few bucks. All of the prices above are from West Marine. Great folks and lots of help. take a look at the photos on the site below. Email if you have any questions. http://www.geocities.com/bobf38_1999/vang1.jpg http://www.geocities.com/bobf38_1999/vang1.jpg Bob
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Doug T.
Alternatives
If you like cam cleats and want to spend more money (this is a BOAT after all!!), you can substitute the Harken No. 058 for the Harken No. 245. It's "only" $79.99...... Or the Harken Carbo AirBlock version (No. 2658) for $61.99... Or... or... or... (Don't you just love choices????)
If you like cam cleats and want to spend more money (this is a BOAT after all!!), you can substitute the Harken No. 058 for the Harken No. 245. It's "only" $79.99...... Or the Harken Carbo AirBlock version (No. 2658) for $61.99... Or... or... or... (Don't you just love choices????)
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Faith Dillard-Azzolina
Which Side of the mast?
Thanks Bob and Doug, Do I install on the stern side of the mast? (That's what I thought when reading the instructions). In the picture, it looks like it's either on the port or starboard side... What kind of screw? Do I need an anchor on the inside? I would love to come down and crew - I work on Saturday night until 7am Sunday, then repeat the shift again. Do you sail through November? Thanks, Faith
Thanks Bob and Doug, Do I install on the stern side of the mast? (That's what I thought when reading the instructions). In the picture, it looks like it's either on the port or starboard side... What kind of screw? Do I need an anchor on the inside? I would love to come down and crew - I work on Saturday night until 7am Sunday, then repeat the shift again. Do you sail through November? Thanks, Faith
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Bob Finley
Boom Vang location
The hanger is centered on the rear side of the mast with the arms reaching around it and at an angle. The small block that you saw in the photo is a late addition to the boat for me to lead the halyards back into the cockpit. There is one on each side of the mast for main and jib. The mounting screws for the vang hanger just happened to be at the right place for me to borrow their strength and use one screw for two purposes. You will have to bend the arms of the hanger to follow the curvature of the mast because they are straight when you buy them. The screws are self tapping sheet metal screws and no anchor is required inside the mast. The pull of the hanger is trying to shear the screws off rather than pull them out so there is plenty of strength. The folks at West or where ever you get the hardware will help you with screws, but I used stainless truss head no. 8 screws 3/4" long. No 10 would work fine but you really need to match the holes in the hanger. You could probably get by with a shorter one like 5/8" for instance. The thickness of the hanger is about 1/8" and the thickness of the mast where you will be mounting is probably 3/16"(total thickness of both pieces of metal is 5/16"). I wouldn't recommend a 1/2" screw because that doesn't give enough meat of the screw through the hole in the mast. Keep the hangers on both the boom and mast as close to a 45 degree angle as possible to help even out the stress on the screws. This is because you want the vang to be mounted at a 45 degree angle. I liked what the other respondent said about doing an eye splice where the line attaches to the lower block, however with me using old halyard line, it has a solid inside and doesn't lend itself to eyesplices too well. I just did a square knot and it is working well.
The hanger is centered on the rear side of the mast with the arms reaching around it and at an angle. The small block that you saw in the photo is a late addition to the boat for me to lead the halyards back into the cockpit. There is one on each side of the mast for main and jib. The mounting screws for the vang hanger just happened to be at the right place for me to borrow their strength and use one screw for two purposes. You will have to bend the arms of the hanger to follow the curvature of the mast because they are straight when you buy them. The screws are self tapping sheet metal screws and no anchor is required inside the mast. The pull of the hanger is trying to shear the screws off rather than pull them out so there is plenty of strength. The folks at West or where ever you get the hardware will help you with screws, but I used stainless truss head no. 8 screws 3/4" long. No 10 would work fine but you really need to match the holes in the hanger. You could probably get by with a shorter one like 5/8" for instance. The thickness of the hanger is about 1/8" and the thickness of the mast where you will be mounting is probably 3/16"(total thickness of both pieces of metal is 5/16"). I wouldn't recommend a 1/2" screw because that doesn't give enough meat of the screw through the hole in the mast. Keep the hangers on both the boom and mast as close to a 45 degree angle as possible to help even out the stress on the screws. This is because you want the vang to be mounted at a 45 degree angle. I liked what the other respondent said about doing an eye splice where the line attaches to the lower block, however with me using old halyard line, it has a solid inside and doesn't lend itself to eyesplices too well. I just did a square knot and it is working well.
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Sy Schiffman
It's 'Easy-City'
Not to worry. Installing is not difficult, and not really THAT expensive. Consult with a West Marine Adviser for specifics.
Not to worry. Installing is not difficult, and not really THAT expensive. Consult with a West Marine Adviser for specifics.
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Doug T.
Responses
Bob: The New England Ropes web site has instructions for doing eye splices on parallel core ropes too (like Sta-Set-X). I bought some just to try it out. I got a great looking splice on my second try. It's definitely harder to work with than double braid, though. Faith: Great sailing on Sunday! Winds were out of the north at 15-20 all day. I was on the race committee boat, though, and didn't get a chance to crew. We normally have three classes: hobies, albacores and lightnings. This weekend there were only four albacores and four lightnings there. The low turnout was due to the cold weather (wimps!) and because there was a lightning regatta going on in Southern VA somewhere. If you want more info, e-mail me at dougtinva@hotmail.com. A link to the Fleet 50 web site is below.
Bob: The New England Ropes web site has instructions for doing eye splices on parallel core ropes too (like Sta-Set-X). I bought some just to try it out. I got a great looking splice on my second try. It's definitely harder to work with than double braid, though. Faith: Great sailing on Sunday! Winds were out of the north at 15-20 all day. I was on the race committee boat, though, and didn't get a chance to crew. We normally have three classes: hobies, albacores and lightnings. This weekend there were only four albacores and four lightnings there. The low turnout was due to the cold weather (wimps!) and because there was a lightning regatta going on in Southern VA somewhere. If you want more info, e-mail me at dougtinva@hotmail.com. A link to the Fleet 50 web site is below.
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