rigid boom vang question

[drnabanyama]

I bought a 1972 Catalina 27 2 years ago. It came with a fully battened mainsail and has a topping lift for the boom and a block and tackle-type boom vang. I noticed this year that the mainsail gets blocked from moving across the centerline by the topping lift during tacks and jibes. It seemed to be only catching on the batten closest to the sailhead, so I removed the batten rod. Now it is catching the upper 1/2 of the battens. Of course, this affects the mainsail on whichever side the sail gets trapped on. I've thought of having the mainsail modified by a sailmaker, but a friend recommened I get a rigid boom vang and get rid of the topping lift. Any advise? If a rigid vang, which one. The one I've seen on line so far seem pretty expensive. I'm not into racing (yet) if that is a factor. Thanks

 

[Stu Jackson]

Garhauer, who makes the blocks on Catalinas, has a very good and relatively inexpensive rigid vang. Check their website.