Hi All, I recently purchased a Garhauer rigid vang for my legend 37. Unfortunately it came with no instructions. I wondered if anyone has installed one. I could muddle through but I'd rather ask a few questions before I start and end up with a bunch of holes that aren't needed; What type screws would be best. Self tapping or machine screws (stainless)? Where is the best place to mount the vang to the mast? (low or Higher) I would assume it should be kept as low as possible... How much load should there be on the vang when the boom is perpendicular to the mast? This Would determine the mounting position of the vang on the boom. Any other thoughts or ideas would be helpful. Thanks, Ted
Rigid Vang
- Thread starter Ted5612
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Call Garhauer...
and get the correct instructions mailed or emailed. I received good instructions with the Garhauer rigid vang that I installed on my H37C a couple of years ago. Sorry can't find them at home, so probably at the boat. See the link below.
and get the correct instructions mailed or emailed. I received good instructions with the Garhauer rigid vang that I installed on my H37C a couple of years ago. Sorry can't find them at home, so probably at the boat. See the link below.
Vang install instructions
Here is what you get from Garhauer, I think I used 1/4-28x1/2 ss hex head bolts Check the archives and photo forum for some pics. Don't forget to coat the threads with loctite or something so they don't become one with the mast. RIGID BOOM VANG INSTALLATION 1) Attach mast bracket to mast at the lowest position. 2) Attach boom vang to mast bracket. 3) Raise mainsail. 4) Use mainsheet system to tighten leech to bring boom to lowest position. 5) Compress vang and tie off. 6) With vang compressed, raise vang to boom, mark the two center holes on boom bracket. 7) Drill and tap. 8) Test boom vang. If vang doesn’t raise boom high enough move bracket forward one hole. If too high move bracket back one hole.
Here is what you get from Garhauer, I think I used 1/4-28x1/2 ss hex head bolts Check the archives and photo forum for some pics. Don't forget to coat the threads with loctite or something so they don't become one with the mast. RIGID BOOM VANG INSTALLATION 1) Attach mast bracket to mast at the lowest position. 2) Attach boom vang to mast bracket. 3) Raise mainsail. 4) Use mainsheet system to tighten leech to bring boom to lowest position. 5) Compress vang and tie off. 6) With vang compressed, raise vang to boom, mark the two center holes on boom bracket. 7) Drill and tap. 8) Test boom vang. If vang doesn’t raise boom high enough move bracket forward one hole. If too high move bracket back one hole.
Call Mark at Garhauer
I installed their SS hard vang and Mark was the guy to talk to about installation. Can't go worng with them.
I installed their SS hard vang and Mark was the guy to talk to about installation. Can't go worng with them.
Mounting Rigid Vang
Ted: the following is what I used to mount the Garhauer rigid vang when I sold and installed them in So Ca. You could tap the mast and boom but the problem is both have very thin walls and your lucky to get maybe 3 threads. I prefer a product called RIVNUTS. They are a rivit that looks like a top hat with a threaded interior. They are used in the airplane industry and any application where a thin metal is involved. I first saw them used by mechanics in a school bus yard that were using them to attach mirrior and other things to a school bus. When I saw them I realized they had a marine application. No matter how much force is exerted they will not pull out. If they ever did pull out they would take a big chuck of the mast or boom with them, Do a google search and check them out. Also, when you mount the rigid vang you want to position the boom about 10 degrees above horizontal. With that position you are ready for the full spread of wind conditions from very light to heavy. If you mount it perfectly horizontal your stuck as you can't raise the boom slightly above horizontal for very light conditions. If you have any questions just fire away.
Ted: the following is what I used to mount the Garhauer rigid vang when I sold and installed them in So Ca. You could tap the mast and boom but the problem is both have very thin walls and your lucky to get maybe 3 threads. I prefer a product called RIVNUTS. They are a rivit that looks like a top hat with a threaded interior. They are used in the airplane industry and any application where a thin metal is involved. I first saw them used by mechanics in a school bus yard that were using them to attach mirrior and other things to a school bus. When I saw them I realized they had a marine application. No matter how much force is exerted they will not pull out. If they ever did pull out they would take a big chuck of the mast or boom with them, Do a google search and check them out. Also, when you mount the rigid vang you want to position the boom about 10 degrees above horizontal. With that position you are ready for the full spread of wind conditions from very light to heavy. If you mount it perfectly horizontal your stuck as you can't raise the boom slightly above horizontal for very light conditions. If you have any questions just fire away.
Same Issues
I had to email them to get instructions, which they gladly provided. I tapped my mast and boom but Don's idea sounds like a better solution.
I had to email them to get instructions, which they gladly provided. I tapped my mast and boom but Don's idea sounds like a better solution.
Don, 2 followup questions as I still have not mounted my Garhauer.
1) Did you install the rivnuts in the boom and then bolt the bracket to the boom using the rivnut bolts or did you set the rivnut thru the bracket holes leaving the shoulder on the outer surface of the bracket like it was a normal rivet then re-enforce with the rivbut bolts? 2)To clarify the second part of your post, you're saying that the boom should be horizontal when the vang is at about mid-throw, allowing 10* movement above and below horizontal AND ensuring that the boom/sail is supported by the push of the vang throught its range? Thanks for your response to my email a while back BTW, I'm almost ready to start drilling my boom for the installation.
1) Did you install the rivnuts in the boom and then bolt the bracket to the boom using the rivnut bolts or did you set the rivnut thru the bracket holes leaving the shoulder on the outer surface of the bracket like it was a normal rivet then re-enforce with the rivbut bolts? 2)To clarify the second part of your post, you're saying that the boom should be horizontal when the vang is at about mid-throw, allowing 10* movement above and below horizontal AND ensuring that the boom/sail is supported by the push of the vang throught its range? Thanks for your response to my email a while back BTW, I'm almost ready to start drilling my boom for the installation.
Follow Up Questions
Clark: I may have to do this in 2 parts and might be giving you more info than you need so just whip through it and pick out what you need. The boom vang is primarily adjusting TWIST. Secondarily, it also adjusts draft position. The sail maker builds twist into the sail. He has to because the wind blows 60% higher at the top of the mast than at deck level. Without built in twist you would not be able to sail the boat. Next time you raise your main notice what is holding the boom in its horizontal position. It is the sail itself. Without the mainsail or a topping lift, the boom would fall on the deck. With that in mind, that is the reason you do not want to compress the rigid vang to the halfway point before you install it. If you installed it compressed halfway and then released it the rigid vang would push the boom way passed horizontal and you don’t want that from a sail trim standpoint. You want it to go only about 10% above horizontal and that is for very light air conditions. So with the rigid vang set at 10% above horizontal when you raise the main your set for the full range of wind speed from very light to heavy. When you start the mounting process the first bracket to install is the one at the base of the mast. Then you move to the boom. The easiest way to install the boom bracket is with the sail removed but that is a pain and the boom is still pretty heavy even without the sail. Since I was installing them alone and really needed an extra hand I had to come up with another way. If you have a topping lift it makes it easier to set the boom at about 10 degrees above horizontal. If you don’t have a topping lift you need a 2X4 or something to hold it in the position you selected. When you drill the boom plate holes they must be EXACT and I mean EXACT whether you use a tap, rivits or RivNuts. How I did it was with long radiator clamps. To avoid damage to the sail, put a towel und the clamps and clamped the bracket to the boom. After I drilled the holes I removed the bracket and installed the RivNuts and then bolted the bracket. The RivNuts come with the bolts. Coat all the parts of the brackets and bolts with grease where they come in contact with the alum to prevent corrosion. You can buy the RivNuts and installation tool at Harbor freight if there is one near you or on the internet. On my installation and most importantly on my own boat, RivNuts are the only way to go due to the forces the wind is exerting on the bolts. Garhauer has standard springs for their rigid vang but they also sell a stronger spring. They used to call it GOLD springs and I don’t know what it is called now. Anyway it looks like something off a 1955 Chevy P/U – well not exactly – but that is what I used. It is hard to cover everything in the short space of this forum so if you have any other questions you can email me at yankee3223@juno.com or call me at (520) 818-2891. Made this in one post. You are going to love that vang when you get it installed. Adjusting twist will never be easier.
Clark: I may have to do this in 2 parts and might be giving you more info than you need so just whip through it and pick out what you need. The boom vang is primarily adjusting TWIST. Secondarily, it also adjusts draft position. The sail maker builds twist into the sail. He has to because the wind blows 60% higher at the top of the mast than at deck level. Without built in twist you would not be able to sail the boat. Next time you raise your main notice what is holding the boom in its horizontal position. It is the sail itself. Without the mainsail or a topping lift, the boom would fall on the deck. With that in mind, that is the reason you do not want to compress the rigid vang to the halfway point before you install it. If you installed it compressed halfway and then released it the rigid vang would push the boom way passed horizontal and you don’t want that from a sail trim standpoint. You want it to go only about 10% above horizontal and that is for very light air conditions. So with the rigid vang set at 10% above horizontal when you raise the main your set for the full range of wind speed from very light to heavy. When you start the mounting process the first bracket to install is the one at the base of the mast. Then you move to the boom. The easiest way to install the boom bracket is with the sail removed but that is a pain and the boom is still pretty heavy even without the sail. Since I was installing them alone and really needed an extra hand I had to come up with another way. If you have a topping lift it makes it easier to set the boom at about 10 degrees above horizontal. If you don’t have a topping lift you need a 2X4 or something to hold it in the position you selected. When you drill the boom plate holes they must be EXACT and I mean EXACT whether you use a tap, rivits or RivNuts. How I did it was with long radiator clamps. To avoid damage to the sail, put a towel und the clamps and clamped the bracket to the boom. After I drilled the holes I removed the bracket and installed the RivNuts and then bolted the bracket. The RivNuts come with the bolts. Coat all the parts of the brackets and bolts with grease where they come in contact with the alum to prevent corrosion. You can buy the RivNuts and installation tool at Harbor freight if there is one near you or on the internet. On my installation and most importantly on my own boat, RivNuts are the only way to go due to the forces the wind is exerting on the bolts. Garhauer has standard springs for their rigid vang but they also sell a stronger spring. They used to call it GOLD springs and I don’t know what it is called now. Anyway it looks like something off a 1955 Chevy P/U – well not exactly – but that is what I used. It is hard to cover everything in the short space of this forum so if you have any other questions you can email me at yankee3223@juno.com or call me at (520) 818-2891. Made this in one post. You are going to love that vang when you get it installed. Adjusting twist will never be easier.
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