Boom Vang Location

[Nodak7]

Just wondering if anyone else has considered moving the location of their Boom Vang on the farther forward on the Boom. We have a B&R Rig and from the picture you can see the vang is completely collapsed. It seems to be so far forward that the vang is always collapsed with no room for adjustments. I would like to move it farther aft on the boom until it opens up some and it gives me some adjustment capabilities. Is there anything else I should consider before I do this modification? Has anyone moved their vang location on a B&R Rig?

 

[Jean Philippe El Khazen]

If you move it aft, then the boom will rest on the arch if the toping lift is loose.

 

[Mulf]

If you mean moving the aft end of the vang

where it attaches to the boom, I moved it to obtain more adjustment range. It was no big deal. The slide that holds the aft end to the boom was held in position by two allen screws that went through the slide and into holes drilled into the bottom of the boom. I simply decided how much further back I wanted it and drilled new holes. Even moving it back, I have no issue with it hitting the arch as the prior post cautions.

 

[Squidd]

How does the sail fit...? Do you need more adjustment...? If so then go for it...

 

[Marc14857]

I have the same concern on our 44AC. The vang is for the most part useless and is bottomed out on most point of sails. I looked into moving the attachment point on the boom aft but was a little concerned about drilling two new holes in the boom as Mulf suggests.

 

[Nodak7]

I have the same concern on our 44AC. The vang is for the most part useless and is bottomed out on most point of sails. I looked into moving the attachment point on the boom aft but was a little concerned about drilling two new holes in the boom as Mulf suggests.

Marc, this is actually a little further back than the original location. If I had put it where the holes where drilled the boom would be sticking up. I did not drill new holes though. I just tightened them up against the boom. It worked all season. However I agree the way the vang is set up it is pretty much worthless and is always collapsed. Why even run the control line back to the clutch if it is of no use? It seems that for this rig the vang is just there for show.

When you look at the geometry of the current setup in the picture you can see (at least to me) that there is no mechanical advantage, by the vang, as it is currently installed. Or am I missing the point? It just seems that it should be further back on the boom. But, as pointed out earlier it seems that if it is set further back it causes other issues. The first and biggest drawback is that if the boom is way out and the vang is drawn in if you tack or jib the boom could swing right into the arch.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Nodak, I think I understand your point, but it seems that would be for going upwind. When you do so, your mainsheet is providing the downward force on your boom.

However, you haven't discussed the use of the boom vang when you're reaching or running. While I understand the limitations to ddw sailing on your boat with your rig and its heavily swept back spreaders (which means you can't let your main out a whole lot like those of us with regular rigs can), I recommend that you see what affect the vang has when you're running before you move the attachment point back.

The vang does two things when keeping the boom down: upwind flattens main, offwind keeps boom down.

Let us know what happens, and we can continue to help with your original question.

 

[amiller]

We had this problem also on our 2004-36. We could never get the aft edge of the sail flat. Finally the boom vang broke while the boat was out on a charter after an accidental jibe. Selden took a look at it as it was under warranty and moved the vang attachment point back about 10". Has been great ever since.

Al Miller

 

[Nodak7]

Nodak, I think I understand your point, but it seems that would be for going upwind. When you do so, your mainsheet is providing the downward force on your boom.

However, you haven't discussed the use of the boom vang when you're reaching or running. While I understand the limitations to ddw sailing on your boat with your rig and its heavily swept back spreaders (which means you can't let your main out a whole lot like those of us with regular rigs can), I recommend that you see what affect the vang has when you're running before you move the attachment point back.

The vang does two things when keeping the boom down: upwind flattens main, offwind keeps boom down.

Let us know what happens, and we can continue to help with your original question.

Stu, if I understand my sail theory correctly for going ddw I would/could release some vang to put a little more draft in the sail (light or high winds). And as you know I do have the 60 degree limitation due to the swept spreaders. As far as reaching or running the vang is already retracted completely so I cannot flatten the sail any further in high winds but I could put in more draft in light winds. Therefore the biggest drawback of the vang being located as it is is a high winds reach or run.

Is this correct or am I confused?

 

[Nodak7]

We had this problem also on our 2004-36. We could never get the aft edge of the sail flat. Finally the boom vang broke while the boat was out on a charter after an accidental jibe. Selden took a look at it as it was under warranty and moved the vang attachment point back about 10". Has been great ever since.

Al Miller

Amiller, that would make sense since it seems to be at such an adverse angle right now. As I puzzle this out (see my earlier response) it may just be one point of sail that it causes an issue with. Especially when you take into account the highly swept back spreaders. However, it just bothers the heck out of me to have this nice fancy "Rodkicker" Vang sitting there and never being able to use it it.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Stu, if I understand my sail theory correctly for going ddw I would/could release some vang to put a little more draft in the sail (light or high winds). And as you know I do have the 60 degree limitation due to the swept spreaders. As far as reaching or running the vang is already retracted completely so I cannot flatten the sail any further in high winds but I could put in more draft in light winds. Therefore the biggest drawback of the vang being located as it is is a high winds reach or run.

Is this correct or am I confused?

Nope, just backwards. When going downwind you want the sail flat. Inducing draft going downwind does nothing.

Unfortunate that the vang does nothing otherwise, but that answerred my question.

Move it, as suggested. Good luck.

 

[sandpiper10471]

Stu is right. A twisted mainsail will tend to cause oscillation downwind. The other factor not mentioned is the boom position when reefed. Does the end of the boom rise or drop? If it drops, then you have arch problems when tacking or gybing. Having sailed a number of these Hunters with B&R rigs, I have to agree. The vang is just about worthless unless you move it back. Most of them just hold the boom from hitting the arch and are always fully compressed. The other option of course, and of course a much more expensive one, is to have the clew recut a little higher to raise the end of the boom.

 

[Marc14857]

So the only real function for the vang on our B&R rigs is to hold the boom down when running or going at whatever downwind angle we can get to. I always thought letting the boom rise some under those conditions was beneficial. Thanks for setting me straight on that.