Boom vang/downhaul questions

[Michael Ruth]

I just purchased a 22' Oday. I love this boat! There are two problems at this point: One is, where to secure the boom vang deckside? I can't see any obvious place to tie it on, and it is not a shackle end. Will someone direct me?Also, for some reason, the downhaul cleat on the mast (in the sail track) actually migrates up and down... defeating the whole downhaul purpose! Is this normal? I see the spacer in between the boom and cleat is intact, but why whould a downhaul cleat be movable>?

 

[Sam]

Boom vang and downhaul

Certainly both are puzzling questions and after having done some exploring and using my 22 for the second season, I hope I can help. There is no boom vang per say, you have probably noticed that what would appear to be a boom vang attaches under the boom. If you look on the forward side of the mast at the bottom you will find a fitting. The "boom vang" attaches via line running through this attachment at the base of the mast. It actually keeps the boom level while extended on either the port/starboard sides.The cleat you have noticed in the slide is so that the boom can be attached to it alleviating a "travelling boom". You might think that both are redundant, but they do have their own purpose. Once you have explored with your boat I think you will appreciate them. Good luck.

 

[Bobby]

re:boomvang and downhaul

I have a 1975 O'day 22. I'm not sure if they have changed things in the years between my boat and your boat, but my boomvang attaches to the mast not the deck. There is a small metal eyelit on the bow side of the mast. Thread the line through the eyelit and tie it to the line on the other side so that the boomvang creates a loop around the mast. That is how mine works anyway.As for the downhaul cleat, it really should not move at all. There should be a least one, maybe even two screws, that go through the cleat. Be sure to tighten them as much as possible. Maybe even replace them if need be. I hope that helps.