Running rigging questions.

[reefmagnet]

Hi Everyone,

Just re-rigging the Vega now. I never saw the boat rigged because it was purchased on the hard with the mast down. I'm looking for clues and ideas on both the boom vang and downhaul set-ups. I can see that these lines connect to the stainless mast base, but I'm not sure what line lengths and mechanical advantage ratios are required?

Also, everything looks to be pretty much stock on this series one Vega, with the boom "floating" in it's mast track. I'm guessing the downhaul is used to tension the luff once the sail is raised? I've also noticed that some Vegas use a system where the main halyard is run back to a winch on the cabin top. I like this idea so would be keen to implement it at some time in the future. Any cons with this kind of setup?

Cheers - Jeff.

 

[j.hunter9999]

Hi Jeff - I have a standard vang, 4:1 purchase with about 30 feet of 1/4 inch line. It has worked well for a very long time. You can probably find examples of hardware by searching for something like Harken small boat boom vang. However, their parts new can be expensive, so try to find a nice consignment shop or deal on ebay for the parts.

I can't say about the downhaul as our series II has the fixed boom. We did run the lines back to the cockpit recently and had her out in 30 knots last weekend to practice raising and reefing. In total, both the main and jib halyard, as well as the first two reefs (clew and tack) are in the cockpit now. In our initial test, the main raised well about 90% up the spar before we had to use the winch. The jib was seamless. Reefs went in and out without any issues.

The only issue we've noticed is that the reefing lines tend to hang below the boom a bit...creating a problem in my humble opinion. That said, I posted to the forum and got a couple of excellent ideas.

As for other issues, I'd say if your not going to run the reefing lines aft, then running the main halyard aft is useless because you have to go forward to throw a reef in. If you still have roller furling, then you don't need a vang because you can roll the main with a vang attached. However, a friend affixed a horseshoe vang on his boom as he still has roller reefing. We switched to jiffy reefing after the 2nd time it tried to throw me off the boat.

If you are interested, I can probably get some photos of his vang setup...I see him 2-3 times a week in the mooring basin.

Hope some of that helps.

Be Happy!
Jack
Bella - V2620

 

[reefmagnet]

Thanks for the response Jack. I'm hoping that amongst the collection of
bits and pieces that came with the boat the vang and downhaul controls will
be hiding. If I can find and identify them my problem is solved! Reading
through the Vega handbook, after I posted (of course!), it does mention the
downhaul but there is no specification on the ratio. I'm guessing the
downhaul would also work at 4:1 if I end up having to make a new one.

Interesting comment about reefing. I've got the furling boom which looks to
be pretty much stock standard so it may or may not have been used by
previous owners. I've heard that the furling system doesn't work that great
anyway, and thinking about it it would seem more awkward then just to slab
reef. I'm happy enough to run up on deck to reef, but now I think about it
I did have a trailer sailer that had single line reefing and that was kind
of convenient. Hmmmm...