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To maintain sail shape in a run or broad reach
When running or on a broad reach, the wind will lift the boom and distort the shape of the sail. The boom vang is used to provide a downward force to keep the boom from being lifted by the wind and twisting the sail in a run or broad reach. Fair Winds. Clyde
When running or on a broad reach, the wind will lift the boom and distort the shape of the sail. The boom vang is used to provide a downward force to keep the boom from being lifted by the wind and twisting the sail in a run or broad reach. Fair Winds. Clyde
Ridgid boom vang....
will also keep the boom from falling down...thus eliminating the need for a top lift.
will also keep the boom from falling down...thus eliminating the need for a top lift.
As Clyde mentioned in his article, the vang is...
used to pull down on the boom when it is extended beyond the range of the main sheet traveler. Terry
used to pull down on the boom when it is extended beyond the range of the main sheet traveler. Terry
Also a "preventer"
The vang (loose or rigid) is primarily used to pull down the boom to flatten the main in heavier winds, so it spills without tipping the boat into rounding up. Most people use two blocks, but four provides greater purchase and a tighter mainsail. Downwind, one set of two blocks can be easily deployed as a preventer to keep the main from gybing accidentally (and tragically). All in all, the vang is handy and efficient. Don't leave home without it.
The vang (loose or rigid) is primarily used to pull down the boom to flatten the main in heavier winds, so it spills without tipping the boat into rounding up. Most people use two blocks, but four provides greater purchase and a tighter mainsail. Downwind, one set of two blocks can be easily deployed as a preventer to keep the main from gybing accidentally (and tragically). All in all, the vang is handy and efficient. Don't leave home without it.
wrong
I have some trouble with the information in Bill O's post. First, the boom vang does absolutely nothing to prevent a boat from rounding up. Indeed, in a broach situation where the rudder is no longer able to control the boat, the first step you should take in order to regain control is to blow the vang entirely, thus depowering the main. Second, the technique described of using the vang as a preventer is NOT appropriate for large boats. This is a fine technique on a dingy where the trimmer is able to control boom fly manually while switching the lower fiddle block, but on a large boat the use of this technique will result in a period after each gybe when the boom is not controlled in any way whatsoever. While this may not result in trouble during light wind/flat water conditions, those are not the conditions when a preventer is needed by competent sailors. Further, if the vang is being used as a preventer, in a broach situation the boat will tend to want to round down rather than round up. This is a much more dangerous situation. People using preventers should realize that they're much more likely to damage the rig by rounding down then they are in an accidental gybe. As I've said before, the only time use of a preventer is justified is in situations of light wind/large swells where the wallowing motion of the boat causes gybes that wind pressure is unable to prevent. Many sailors, however, use preventers to make up for lack of downwind sailing ability, which is not a good situation. A better solution is to take lessons. Someone who doesn't understand that the purpose of the boom vang is to control leech tension is probably better advised to sign up for lessons than to use his vang as a preventer.
I have some trouble with the information in Bill O's post. First, the boom vang does absolutely nothing to prevent a boat from rounding up. Indeed, in a broach situation where the rudder is no longer able to control the boat, the first step you should take in order to regain control is to blow the vang entirely, thus depowering the main. Second, the technique described of using the vang as a preventer is NOT appropriate for large boats. This is a fine technique on a dingy where the trimmer is able to control boom fly manually while switching the lower fiddle block, but on a large boat the use of this technique will result in a period after each gybe when the boom is not controlled in any way whatsoever. While this may not result in trouble during light wind/flat water conditions, those are not the conditions when a preventer is needed by competent sailors. Further, if the vang is being used as a preventer, in a broach situation the boat will tend to want to round down rather than round up. This is a much more dangerous situation. People using preventers should realize that they're much more likely to damage the rig by rounding down then they are in an accidental gybe. As I've said before, the only time use of a preventer is justified is in situations of light wind/large swells where the wallowing motion of the boat causes gybes that wind pressure is unable to prevent. Many sailors, however, use preventers to make up for lack of downwind sailing ability, which is not a good situation. A better solution is to take lessons. Someone who doesn't understand that the purpose of the boom vang is to control leech tension is probably better advised to sign up for lessons than to use his vang as a preventer.
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