The 310 is the first boat I had that has a boom vang and, to be honest, I never adjust it. Are there any basic rules to follow for proper adjusting or use?
Thanks,
Thanks,
proper use of boom vang
- Thread starter iSailor
- Start date
A boom vang works along side the mainsheet to set the boom's angle relative to the water. It has the advantage of pivoting at the mast, so unlike the sheet, the boom angle does not change as the mainsheet is let out. This controls the mainsail's twist; the shape of the sails leech.
There are some simple guidelines for its operation,
Off the wind, set the vang so the boom is level with the water. Now easing the sheet will not let the boom rise and spill air, keeping the sail efficient. Now it you ever feel like you might round up, spilling the vang will stop that. When we race downwind, we have a person on the vang at all times. We call it the 'ripcord'!
Up wind in moderate breeze, I recommend most sailors keep it loose, and fully control twist with the mainsheet (plus the traveler). Once the breeze picks up, set it snug to your best upwind sheet angle. That way, an ease of the mainsheet keeps the same twist but lets the sail angle off, easing the pressure in puffs. This is called 'vang sheeting'.
That's the basics. Its use gets more complex, but that requires a matching understanding of sail trim, and the desire to work the controls in close concert. Start there and lets talk later in the season!
There are some simple guidelines for its operation,
Off the wind, set the vang so the boom is level with the water. Now easing the sheet will not let the boom rise and spill air, keeping the sail efficient. Now it you ever feel like you might round up, spilling the vang will stop that. When we race downwind, we have a person on the vang at all times. We call it the 'ripcord'!
Up wind in moderate breeze, I recommend most sailors keep it loose, and fully control twist with the mainsheet (plus the traveler). Once the breeze picks up, set it snug to your best upwind sheet angle. That way, an ease of the mainsheet keeps the same twist but lets the sail angle off, easing the pressure in puffs. This is called 'vang sheeting'.
That's the basics. Its use gets more complex, but that requires a matching understanding of sail trim, and the desire to work the controls in close concert. Start there and lets talk later in the season!
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What I appreciate about the many Jackdaw posts I have read, including this one, is how clearly he explains things. Many of us on this board know how to trim sails, and I could have done that explanation in a page or two. Jackdaw laid this out in a couple paragraphs, including helpful examples. Thanks again for clarity!
One note here, I use to race my J22 and we Vang sheeted up wind as well. With more flexible rigs this is an effective tactic as this will cause the lower section of the mast to bend and help twist off the sail. With our rig the mast is too stiff to provide this benefit.
For Main Furling ( in mast )...
Release your vang and add about 6" of main sheet play as you head into the wind.
This allows the wind to slightly tighten your sail so you don't have a twist in your leech, as you furl.
Jim...
PS: @Jackdaw Thank you! There is a bit more if you have a Hunter B&R Rig which prevents down wind boom sweeps to 60° maximum.
Release your vang and add about 6" of main sheet play as you head into the wind.
This allows the wind to slightly tighten your sail so you don't have a twist in your leech, as you furl.
Jim...
PS: @Jackdaw Thank you! There is a bit more if you have a Hunter B&R Rig which prevents down wind boom sweeps to 60° maximum.
At first I did think that!
I think I got it...
BOOM CRANE!!
Nice idea. I will do just that to deploy our dingy!
Jim...
PS: Apply for patent now!
Y'all are giving me waaaaay too much credit. To try to clarify what I meant, I normally keep the bang sorta tight because it seems to me it should be sorta tight. But the bimini hits the end of the boom while being deployed when it's that tight. So I release the vang which pushes the boom up out of the way. After deploying the bimini (by hand) I pull the vang sorta tight again. Because it seems like it should be sorta tight.
Isn't it refreshing to know I don't deserve as much credit as y'all think I do?
Isn't it refreshing to know I don't deserve as much credit as y'all think I do?
Thanks for saying that. While I totally enjoy posting, its nice when someone notices. I also noticed that the OP did as well and mentioned it. That's great too.
Jackdaw,
Ever think of writing a book? At a minimum we could put all your educational post in one section of the forum and label it "Read this First!"
I know I have learned a lot from reading your post. Your explanation of flying a asymmetrical showed me how much more use they have tHan just downwind which has made me want one even more!
Thanks for all the great info!
Sam
Ever think of writing a book? At a minimum we could put all your educational post in one section of the forum and label it "Read this First!"
I know I have learned a lot from reading your post. Your explanation of flying a asymmetrical showed me how much more use they have tHan just downwind which has made me want one even more!
Thanks for all the great info!
Sam
