I've done a lot of sailing but not for more than 10 years. For the life of me, I can't remember adjusting a boom vang. Can some one expound on boom vangs for me, I have an older Catalina 27, mid 70's - thanks (oh yeah, a Cat with a boom vang).
I'm embarrased, purpose of Boom Vang
- Thread starter rsn48
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What I was told
I was instructed that the purpose of the Boomvang was to flatten the main sail during periods of higher winds so the sail wouldn't be able to hold the airin a pocket so to speak.
I was instructed that the purpose of the Boomvang was to flatten the main sail during periods of higher winds so the sail wouldn't be able to hold the airin a pocket so to speak.
Some dinghy sailing will teach you -
that you use your boom vang pretty well exclusively when sailing off the wind. It holds the boom down. If you have the time, type "boom vang" into the archives and then sit back and read for a good long while. There is an incredible amount of information on proper use of your boom vang (kicking strap as it is called in Europe) right here on this great forum. Cheers,
that you use your boom vang pretty well exclusively when sailing off the wind. It holds the boom down. If you have the time, type "boom vang" into the archives and then sit back and read for a good long while. There is an incredible amount of information on proper use of your boom vang (kicking strap as it is called in Europe) right here on this great forum. Cheers,
archived discussions available
I have found that there are some good discussions archived in the "Sail Trim" forum that cover this. I am adding a link to one good example.
I have found that there are some good discussions archived in the "Sail Trim" forum that cover this. I am adding a link to one good example.
Title
Yeah, when sailing to weather, the mainsheet is pulling almost straigt down on an almost centered boom. But off the wind, the sheet is eased and cannot keep the boom from rising, which is undesirable in terms of sail shape. Hence, the boom vang, to keep the boom from rising when sailing off the wind.
Yeah, when sailing to weather, the mainsheet is pulling almost straigt down on an almost centered boom. But off the wind, the sheet is eased and cannot keep the boom from rising, which is undesirable in terms of sail shape. Hence, the boom vang, to keep the boom from rising when sailing off the wind.
Controls twist (and draft position)
The other responses have it mostly covered, but don't mention the terminology by saying that the boom vang controls TWIST. The link provided by pdxsailor points to an excellent post by Don himself. It's a must read. I don't have a traveler, but I can see that I'm missing the ability to control twist when the boom is centered. One can control twist with the mainsheet and boom vang while keeping the angle of attack constant with the traveler to windward. All I can do is ease the mainsheet, but the boom moves out changing the angle of attack. The linked post doesn't mention it (Don's book does), but the boom vang also affects draft position, along with mast bend, mainsheet, cunningham and the outhaul. ...RickM...
The other responses have it mostly covered, but don't mention the terminology by saying that the boom vang controls TWIST. The link provided by pdxsailor points to an excellent post by Don himself. It's a must read. I don't have a traveler, but I can see that I'm missing the ability to control twist when the boom is centered. One can control twist with the mainsheet and boom vang while keeping the angle of attack constant with the traveler to windward. All I can do is ease the mainsheet, but the boom moves out changing the angle of attack. The linked post doesn't mention it (Don's book does), but the boom vang also affects draft position, along with mast bend, mainsheet, cunningham and the outhaul. ...RickM...
Thanks for the response
I just bought a "used" book on learning how to sail to refresh my memory, and it includes a page or two on the boom vang. I did read all your responses, including the very helpful link provided. I sometimes wonder if people like myself who have never sailed dingies have missed out on some great learning experience. Most of my initial sailing experience came from a now defunct club called "The Jib Set" (Vancouver, BC) which provided great lessons on a Cal 22. I then moved up to a Tanzer 26 with some sessions on a CT 37. Regardless of how much I did, these experiences where far back in my past so I will be nervously setting the sail the first couple of times out there in Howe Sound. And I discovered a truism: How do you know when you are back into sailing? The answer - when you start studying the local flags that are flying for wind strength and direction.
I just bought a "used" book on learning how to sail to refresh my memory, and it includes a page or two on the boom vang. I did read all your responses, including the very helpful link provided. I sometimes wonder if people like myself who have never sailed dingies have missed out on some great learning experience. Most of my initial sailing experience came from a now defunct club called "The Jib Set" (Vancouver, BC) which provided great lessons on a Cal 22. I then moved up to a Tanzer 26 with some sessions on a CT 37. Regardless of how much I did, these experiences where far back in my past so I will be nervously setting the sail the first couple of times out there in Howe Sound. And I discovered a truism: How do you know when you are back into sailing? The answer - when you start studying the local flags that are flying for wind strength and direction.
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