I need a quick explanation of the function and purpose of a boom vang. I question when and why we tighten and when we ease? Thank you
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I use
The boom vang to shape the sail when the boom is outside the operating angle of the main sheet/traveler. Sailing off the wind or dead downwind your boom will tend to lift if you do not have a vang attached and properly trimmed. Mine is a rigid vang so it also acts as a topping lift. Tim R.
The boom vang to shape the sail when the boom is outside the operating angle of the main sheet/traveler. Sailing off the wind or dead downwind your boom will tend to lift if you do not have a vang attached and properly trimmed. Mine is a rigid vang so it also acts as a topping lift. Tim R.
Boom Vang
Carol, If you haven't already ask right here in the experts forum. See link below. Sail On... Terry
Carol, If you haven't already ask right here in the experts forum. See link below. Sail On... Terry
I still wonder
I have a solid boom vang and my main sheet is attached to the aft end of the boom. It seems to me that the end boom sheeting would hold down the boom and that the vang would be of little value other than working as a topping lift for boom support. What am I missing?
I have a solid boom vang and my main sheet is attached to the aft end of the boom. It seems to me that the end boom sheeting would hold down the boom and that the vang would be of little value other than working as a topping lift for boom support. What am I missing?
Vang
I'm not sure an end boom would be any better than a mid boom. When the boom is extended far out, as when you are on a run or very broad reach, the angle of the main sheet means that most of the force is pulling towards the centerline of the boat, rather than down. Thus, the boom tends to lift, causing the sail to curl and not perfomr ideally. The vang provides the missing downward force on the boom.
I'm not sure an end boom would be any better than a mid boom. When the boom is extended far out, as when you are on a run or very broad reach, the angle of the main sheet means that most of the force is pulling towards the centerline of the boat, rather than down. Thus, the boom tends to lift, causing the sail to curl and not perfomr ideally. The vang provides the missing downward force on the boom.
Bill
It's the angle of the mainsheet that you're missing. Anytime the boom is not nearly over the traveler car, the mainsheet is not pulling straight down, and cannot prevent the boom from rising (these are typically off-wind courses. A rising boom spills air you want to use for drive). That's when the vang comes in. On upwind courses, I use the traveler a lot, and just blade the correctly trimmed sail in or out as a unit. But once I steer off the wind enough, I'm out of traveler track, and must ease the mainsheet. Now the vang keeps the boom down.
It's the angle of the mainsheet that you're missing. Anytime the boom is not nearly over the traveler car, the mainsheet is not pulling straight down, and cannot prevent the boom from rising (these are typically off-wind courses. A rising boom spills air you want to use for drive). That's when the vang comes in. On upwind courses, I use the traveler a lot, and just blade the correctly trimmed sail in or out as a unit. But once I steer off the wind enough, I'm out of traveler track, and must ease the mainsheet. Now the vang keeps the boom down.
Thanks
Your responses to my end boom sheeting question makes perfect sense. That's why I read this forum.
Your responses to my end boom sheeting question makes perfect sense. That's why I read this forum.
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