Boom Vang Travel

[dscribner]

How much does the business end of the boom vang need to travel ? ie, if a rigid boom vang is fixed to the base of the mast, how much would the boom end actually have to move?

 

[Don12364]

Actual range of adjustment needed to simply control a sail is very small. However you will need to raise the boom somewhat to make hoisting the sail easier. Also perhaps to allow more headroom in the cockpit unless the 'normal' height of the boom is already clear of heads for persons standing on the bridge deck.
Again consider the need to lower the boom end to deck if caught out in exceptionally bad weather - or just to work on the boom or sail itself.

 

[Alan]

The boom vang is the primary control of mainsail twist. As long as you can remove most of the twist in the main when the vang is pulled on fully, it is doing the designed job. The amount of travel is irrelevant if it has full control of twist.

 

[dscribner]

The reason I ask is that I am about to turn the boom vang industry on it's ear! Invest in boom vang futures today! AKA, I'm a tinkerer/designer by vocation and nature and I have an idea for a simple, rigid boom vang that would be ideal for smaller boats and trailer sailors. It would probably sell for about $100 for a kit. I figured 3" of travel at the boom, three 2" positions at the mast. Control line purchase at about 6:1.

 

[tommays]

I don't no how you would do it at that price even a simple J24 soft 4:1 vang without fittings cost more than that ?

And Garhauer already has rigid vangs down to a rock bottom low price

 

[Alan]

Sounds like you are talking about some sort of sliding travel along the boom.

 

[RichH]

Sounds like you are talking about some sort of sliding travel along the boom.

... or 'mast ram'.