I'm in the process of investing in a boom vang. I kept a traditional boom vang from my previous boat and would have to invest in the mast and boom bails in order to complete the installation. When you look at the cost of the bails and ss mounting bolts you're almost half way to the price of some rigid vangs. Initially the rigid vangs are higher but they come with all the mounting hardware. I'm a weekend Neuse River sailor and don't know if the additional cost of the rigid vs the traditional is worth the price. What are the advantages of one over the other? Thanks, tarheel
Boom Vangs
- Thread starter tarheel
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Worth it in most cases
Hi tarheel - You didn't mention what size boat you have, but for 30+' sized boats I think a rigid vang is worth the extra expense. Garhauer makes a high quality SS (polished) vang that's reasonably priced (see Related link below). You'll have more control by eliminating the topping lift to hold the boom up. Comes with mounting hardware and block and tackle... easy to install and use. Best, Trevor
Hi tarheel - You didn't mention what size boat you have, but for 30+' sized boats I think a rigid vang is worth the extra expense. Garhauer makes a high quality SS (polished) vang that's reasonably priced (see Related link below). You'll have more control by eliminating the topping lift to hold the boom up. Comes with mounting hardware and block and tackle... easy to install and use. Best, Trevor
Ridgid vangs are great,
You can still tension the luff, you dont need a toping lift to drop the sail. they are easy use. there have been a lot of info on this look in the archives for articles.
You can still tension the luff, you dont need a toping lift to drop the sail. they are easy use. there have been a lot of info on this look in the archives for articles.
Love mine
This spring I discovered an additional benefit of my rigid vang (Garhauer) when the boom broke at the mainsheet bail while gybing in a strong wind. Because my main is loose-footed, the boom was no longer held up by the sail and would have snapped back with potentially dangerous consequences, but the vang held it safely in place. A soft vang or topping lift would not have served that purpose. Other than that, it is real convenient to use (how many people bother to raise the boom in light air when reaching to take its weight off the sail using a topping lift? - with the rigid vang it's a snap) and especially handy when raising or lowering the main. Well worth the few extra bucks.
This spring I discovered an additional benefit of my rigid vang (Garhauer) when the boom broke at the mainsheet bail while gybing in a strong wind. Because my main is loose-footed, the boom was no longer held up by the sail and would have snapped back with potentially dangerous consequences, but the vang held it safely in place. A soft vang or topping lift would not have served that purpose. Other than that, it is real convenient to use (how many people bother to raise the boom in light air when reaching to take its weight off the sail using a topping lift? - with the rigid vang it's a snap) and especially handy when raising or lowering the main. Well worth the few extra bucks.
Rigid Vang
I have experience with the The Colgate 26 which has a rigid vang and it's great but I now sail the H260 and I don't know how much trouble it is to rig and unrig for trailerable boats. Any views on this aspect?
I have experience with the The Colgate 26 which has a rigid vang and it's great but I now sail the H260 and I don't know how much trouble it is to rig and unrig for trailerable boats. Any views on this aspect?
No sweat
Unrigging the vang just involves removing two thru-bolts at the ends. This could be simplified by replacing them with pins, I suppose, but the bolts take about 30 seconds each to remove.
Unrigging the vang just involves removing two thru-bolts at the ends. This could be simplified by replacing them with pins, I suppose, but the bolts take about 30 seconds each to remove.
H260 experience
I have one on my 1999 H260 and it is easy to disconnect at the base of the mast. I leave it attached to the boom, just swing it aft and tie it (almost) parallel with the boom and haul it below for storage. Two tricks to install and remove single handed: 1) I use the main halyard as a "topping lift" when removing the vang. You can control the alignment of the bracket to remove or install the bolt where it attaches at the base of the mast by pulling on the halyard before it turns at the base of the mast. 2) Before removing, compress the vang so that the two blocks on the vang are just a few inches apart. Then put a loop of line through the blocks and tied them together. Then you can release the control line and the blocks will stay together so you can manage it all much easier. Fair winds, Tom
I have one on my 1999 H260 and it is easy to disconnect at the base of the mast. I leave it attached to the boom, just swing it aft and tie it (almost) parallel with the boom and haul it below for storage. Two tricks to install and remove single handed: 1) I use the main halyard as a "topping lift" when removing the vang. You can control the alignment of the bracket to remove or install the bolt where it attaches at the base of the mast by pulling on the halyard before it turns at the base of the mast. 2) Before removing, compress the vang so that the two blocks on the vang are just a few inches apart. Then put a loop of line through the blocks and tied them together. Then you can release the control line and the blocks will stay together so you can manage it all much easier. Fair winds, Tom
Another vote for Garhauer
Unless you have a specific preference for another model, I'd suggest that you forget everything else and go for the Garhauer. It's a quality product at a reasonable price.
Unless you have a specific preference for another model, I'd suggest that you forget everything else and go for the Garhauer. It's a quality product at a reasonable price.
Maybe its just me
But don't the blocks and line represent the biggest investment in a traditional vang setup? How big is the bail & stainless hardware???? Sounds like they will be 12 meter size if the cost is approaching 1/2 the cost of a rigid vang...Sailnet rigid vangs start @ $417. But could be just my approach... David
But don't the blocks and line represent the biggest investment in a traditional vang setup? How big is the bail & stainless hardware???? Sounds like they will be 12 meter size if the cost is approaching 1/2 the cost of a rigid vang...Sailnet rigid vangs start @ $417. But could be just my approach... David
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