Following several people's advice on these forums re: topping lifts and rigid boom vangs, I recently received the Garhauer rigid vang I ordered several weeks ago (luckily before the price went up!). I wrongly assumed it would come with some installation instructions. I have brackets and roller/tracks - my question is, since I have no mounting hardward (screws, etc) I'm looking for some advice on how to mount this as far as screws, bolts, - should these be just into the bracket side of the mast and boom or all the way through. Any suggestions are much appreciated. Thanks!
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Best to call Garhauer...
I had some questions about installation and called them. They were very helpful. In my case, they suggested drilling and tapping 1/4 inch stainless steel machine bolts into the mast and boom -- just the one side, not through bolted. A suggestion they gave me was to insullate the stainless bracket from the aluminum mast using strips of electrical tape placed edge to edge (not overplapping). This is to prevent corrosion between the dis-similar metals. I've never done this before, and it was pretty easy. A matching Drill and tap set is available at home depot for a few dollars. Fair winds, Tom
I had some questions about installation and called them. They were very helpful. In my case, they suggested drilling and tapping 1/4 inch stainless steel machine bolts into the mast and boom -- just the one side, not through bolted. A suggestion they gave me was to insullate the stainless bracket from the aluminum mast using strips of electrical tape placed edge to edge (not overplapping). This is to prevent corrosion between the dis-similar metals. I've never done this before, and it was pretty easy. A matching Drill and tap set is available at home depot for a few dollars. Fair winds, Tom
Same for me
Mine has held up well for almost two years now in some relatively extreme conditions. The tapped holes work nicely in boom and mst - get some TefGel for the threads. When my Garhauer arrived, the boom bracket was mounted backwards on the rod, so check that aspect.
Mine has held up well for almost two years now in some relatively extreme conditions. The tapped holes work nicely in boom and mst - get some TefGel for the threads. When my Garhauer arrived, the boom bracket was mounted backwards on the rod, so check that aspect.
Greenlee drill/ tap
Hi Mike Just installed Lazy Jacks on my 32 and found this combination Drill/Tap for the machine bolts to mount the hardware.I bought the whole set but you can buy just one.I had holes drilled and tapped in seconds,if you do a yahoo or google search Greenlee drill/ tap or any electric supply will carry Greenlee products.
Hi Mike Just installed Lazy Jacks on my 32 and found this combination Drill/Tap for the machine bolts to mount the hardware.I bought the whole set but you can buy just one.I had holes drilled and tapped in seconds,if you do a yahoo or google search Greenlee drill/ tap or any electric supply will carry Greenlee products.
Additional Tips
Mike, Once you have the hardware sorted out, you need to make sure the vang is installed in the right position. Basically, you want the angle of the vang/boom to be between 30 & 45 degrees, and you want to mast fitting to be as low as possible. One thing to remember: If you have a sliding mast, you want that 30 to 45 degree range while the boom is in the raised "sailing" position, not in the lower position it is when the main is furled. I installed mine last year & was amazed at the difference it made, especially when close hauled. I'm sure you'll love yours, too. Click "Related Link" below for more info. Good Luck, Allen Schweitzer s/v Falstaff C-30 Hull# 632
Mike, Once you have the hardware sorted out, you need to make sure the vang is installed in the right position. Basically, you want the angle of the vang/boom to be between 30 & 45 degrees, and you want to mast fitting to be as low as possible. One thing to remember: If you have a sliding mast, you want that 30 to 45 degree range while the boom is in the raised "sailing" position, not in the lower position it is when the main is furled. I installed mine last year & was amazed at the difference it made, especially when close hauled. I'm sure you'll love yours, too. Click "Related Link" below for more info. Good Luck, Allen Schweitzer s/v Falstaff C-30 Hull# 632
rigid boom vang tip thanks!
Many thanks to the tips here, I will make use of many if not all of them. Thanks!
Many thanks to the tips here, I will make use of many if not all of them. Thanks!
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