Vang/preventer on genoa tracks

[kenneth klemmer]

Hi, In an effort to reduce the number of lines I'm now faced with, I've come up with the idea of using my boom vang as a preventer when sailing off the wind. This would be accomplished by moving the mast base shackle to a car on the genoa track. The track is through bolted to the deck every 4". My question is: is this a dumb thing to do? Is the genoa track strong enough for this? I see a number of spring line cleats designed to go on genoa tracks for sale. I assume that if the tracks are durable enough for that, they should be ok for the vang.Has anyone tried this? Thanks in advance!Kenneth

 

[Dave]

Vang Preventer

Ken: No problem with this I idea...I have used it for years. We use a jiffy shackle at the mast to quickly release the vang and then move it over to the toe rail. We have a separate sliding eye that we secure the vang to. When you jibe you have to move the base from one side to the other. Not much of a problem since it gives you the mental satisfaction of preventing a flying jibe....