After pricing marine quality vangs I decided to try a different approach. I took one of those ratchet type tiedown straps and removed the hooks. I threaded the mast hinge pin through the loop on one end and attached the other end to the boom eye with a small shackle. It is surprising how much tension you can apply with that ratchet and it's so reaspnably priced you can replace it every year if it starts to rust.
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Harvey Small
Quick Release?
And how do you release this cheapie vang in a hurry? With a knife or a bolt cutters? There are occasions in which a vang or main sheet has to be released RIGHT NOW. That's why they have cam cleats or some other type of quick release. Look, you live in Florida, so ask around and find out where the local marine hardware junk shop is. Then you can get a couple of fiddle blocks and some line and make up a proper vang. I'm sure you're very proud of how you re-invented the wheel, but this time you didn't come up with a round one. In case no one has infomed you yet, I'll break the news -- boat ownership involves some expense. Trying to substitute for marine grade hardware is a false economy. After the cheapo fix fails, you'll have to replace something expensive, and then you'll buy the proper equipment.
And how do you release this cheapie vang in a hurry? With a knife or a bolt cutters? There are occasions in which a vang or main sheet has to be released RIGHT NOW. That's why they have cam cleats or some other type of quick release. Look, you live in Florida, so ask around and find out where the local marine hardware junk shop is. Then you can get a couple of fiddle blocks and some line and make up a proper vang. I'm sure you're very proud of how you re-invented the wheel, but this time you didn't come up with a round one. In case no one has infomed you yet, I'll break the news -- boat ownership involves some expense. Trying to substitute for marine grade hardware is a false economy. After the cheapo fix fails, you'll have to replace something expensive, and then you'll buy the proper equipment.
Thank you Harvey.
But you forgot to mention that when the thing starts to rust and that crap is running all over the deck and gets in the fiberglass....... Oh, this is going to be fun.
But you forgot to mention that when the thing starts to rust and that crap is running all over the deck and gets in the fiberglass....... Oh, this is going to be fun.
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red coles
Attaboy
Hello Gino: Just wanted to give you an Attaboy for the suggestion. Being a confirmed DIYr, I appreciate all suggestions that allow me to practice my Scotch ancestors mindset. Good luck and keep 'em coming red
Hello Gino: Just wanted to give you an Attaboy for the suggestion. Being a confirmed DIYr, I appreciate all suggestions that allow me to practice my Scotch ancestors mindset. Good luck and keep 'em coming red
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Bill
Uncalled for
While I had the same dismay at the shortcomings of Gino's idea, I think there may have been a kinder and gentler way to put it, Harvey. I'll bet you're the kind of driver who cuts off old ladies in traffic, then looks around expecting nods of admiration from other drivers. Maybe I'm wrong--perhaps you didn't realize how rude you came across...
While I had the same dismay at the shortcomings of Gino's idea, I think there may have been a kinder and gentler way to put it, Harvey. I'll bet you're the kind of driver who cuts off old ladies in traffic, then looks around expecting nods of admiration from other drivers. Maybe I'm wrong--perhaps you didn't realize how rude you came across...
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Ron
Cheap Not Always Bad
I agree that unique, "non-sailing" type equipment is not always the way to go, but I want to support Gino's attempt to find an inexpensive solution - even if it was not the best idea. There are a lot of ways to make or buy equipment for your boat without always going to the local marine store. Supportive advice is what is good on this website, so let's not be so hard on someone trying to save a buck!
I agree that unique, "non-sailing" type equipment is not always the way to go, but I want to support Gino's attempt to find an inexpensive solution - even if it was not the best idea. There are a lot of ways to make or buy equipment for your boat without always going to the local marine store. Supportive advice is what is good on this website, so let's not be so hard on someone trying to save a buck!
and Gino, check out Garhauer.
Gino: You can get a Garhauer vang very reasonably prices and will probably never need to replace it. No mess, no fuss, very little criticizm either. We (Harvey included) are just trying to keep you on the straight and narrow. Less heartache in the future.
Gino: You can get a Garhauer vang very reasonably prices and will probably never need to replace it. No mess, no fuss, very little criticizm either. We (Harvey included) are just trying to keep you on the straight and narrow. Less heartache in the future.
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Gino
Wow!
I sure stimulated some responses! Harvey, sorry if I offended your "by the book" attitude but some of us are sailing on fixed incomes and have to look for less than perfect solutions that will fit our budgets. I am well aware of the limitations of a rusty ratchet strap used as a vang and will replace it with the proper equipment when funds allow. However, I appreciate your suggestion about using my knife as an emergency release. Now if I can only get my knife as sharp as your pen! Oh, by the way, don't ever read Practical Sailor, it would probably give you bad dreams.
I sure stimulated some responses! Harvey, sorry if I offended your "by the book" attitude but some of us are sailing on fixed incomes and have to look for less than perfect solutions that will fit our budgets. I am well aware of the limitations of a rusty ratchet strap used as a vang and will replace it with the proper equipment when funds allow. However, I appreciate your suggestion about using my knife as an emergency release. Now if I can only get my knife as sharp as your pen! Oh, by the way, don't ever read Practical Sailor, it would probably give you bad dreams.
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Harvey Small
No insult intended, sorry!
Sometimes you try to get clever and don't realize that it doesn't come across right. Please accept my apologies. I'm not one to discourage trying to save a buck -- it's amazing what you can find at the closeout table at my local boatshop, not to mention the stuff at more nautical areas than St Louis. It's just that there are ways to save a buck, and ways not to.
Sometimes you try to get clever and don't realize that it doesn't come across right. Please accept my apologies. I'm not one to discourage trying to save a buck -- it's amazing what you can find at the closeout table at my local boatshop, not to mention the stuff at more nautical areas than St Louis. It's just that there are ways to save a buck, and ways not to.
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Russ King
I thought it was a pretty good idea...
but you want to be very careful about cutting the strap: the rachet could really hurt someone if it went flying. I use straps and ratchets to fasten my canoe to car roof racks. The biggest problem I have is that the ratchet wants to jam if there's too much tension and it's wet and/or dusty/gritty. I haven't had the guts to try cutting the strap when it's under a lot of tension. And my ratchet has come close to breaking fingers loosening it, when I was not careful. I've been eyeing the blocks in a farm hardware store. The price is a fraction of the price of shiny "marine grade" blocks. They are galvanized instead of stainless steel, but they are designed for rough use, and should last well. $10 to $15 for a double or triple block is hard to resist. The work boats of the last century used equipment like this; it's only the "YAW ting" (you need an uppercrust British accent to make it work) circle who object to plain gear. If you do go to one of the farm hardware stores, be sure to ask for "pulleys", not "blocks".
but you want to be very careful about cutting the strap: the rachet could really hurt someone if it went flying. I use straps and ratchets to fasten my canoe to car roof racks. The biggest problem I have is that the ratchet wants to jam if there's too much tension and it's wet and/or dusty/gritty. I haven't had the guts to try cutting the strap when it's under a lot of tension. And my ratchet has come close to breaking fingers loosening it, when I was not careful. I've been eyeing the blocks in a farm hardware store. The price is a fraction of the price of shiny "marine grade" blocks. They are galvanized instead of stainless steel, but they are designed for rough use, and should last well. $10 to $15 for a double or triple block is hard to resist. The work boats of the last century used equipment like this; it's only the "YAW ting" (you need an uppercrust British accent to make it work) circle who object to plain gear. If you do go to one of the farm hardware stores, be sure to ask for "pulleys", not "blocks".
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