Wanted: hints on use of boom vang
- Thread starter tadd5181
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very simply
In heavy winds tighten it up to flatten the sail and improve downwind performance. In downwind situations, tighten it up to reduce the boom's tendency to kick up. In light winds slack it off to induce twist and thereby increase power. In waves slack it off a bit to increase power by inducing some twist. Purchase Don Guillette's book on sail trim because the vang is only 'one member of the band' when playing that 'trim the sails tune'! You will also need to learn to play the cunningham, outhaul, halyard, traveller, backstay and mainsheet in harmony with the vang.
In heavy winds tighten it up to flatten the sail and improve downwind performance. In downwind situations, tighten it up to reduce the boom's tendency to kick up. In light winds slack it off to induce twist and thereby increase power. In waves slack it off a bit to increase power by inducing some twist. Purchase Don Guillette's book on sail trim because the vang is only 'one member of the band' when playing that 'trim the sails tune'! You will also need to learn to play the cunningham, outhaul, halyard, traveller, backstay and mainsheet in harmony with the vang.
Very simply stated...
.. the vang controls the height of the boom. This in turn controls the twist in the main. Particularly important when sailing off the wind. As the boom travels outboard the main sheet has less and less effect on the boom height. The vang is then used to control twist while the sheet is used for angle of attack. This is referred to as 'vang sheeting'. If not already on board you should seriously consider having a solid vang. This permits the boom to be unsupported at the outboard end eliminating the need for a topping lift.
.. the vang controls the height of the boom. This in turn controls the twist in the main. Particularly important when sailing off the wind. As the boom travels outboard the main sheet has less and less effect on the boom height. The vang is then used to control twist while the sheet is used for angle of attack. This is referred to as 'vang sheeting'. If not already on board you should seriously consider having a solid vang. This permits the boom to be unsupported at the outboard end eliminating the need for a topping lift.
This link explains a boom vang (kicking strap)
You previously have two replies which correctly explain the use of a boom vang, and one that doesn't make sense. The object of the vang is to hold the boom down and decrease the twist in the sail when not required. The boom must also be held down while running to prevent it lifting and causing a Chinese gybe. With a flexible mast, the vang can affect the mast bend considerably, thus affording another weapon in the trimming department.
You previously have two replies which correctly explain the use of a boom vang, and one that doesn't make sense. The object of the vang is to hold the boom down and decrease the twist in the sail when not required. The boom must also be held down while running to prevent it lifting and causing a Chinese gybe. With a flexible mast, the vang can affect the mast bend considerably, thus affording another weapon in the trimming department.
what?????
what's a chinese jibe.... is that politically correct? How does the vang flatten the main, especially on a loose foot mainsail? Tadd read Alan's post again. Then read this article: http://www.sailingusa.info/sail_shape.htm PS. The flexible "boom" question is removed, thank you for your correction, Jim.
what's a chinese jibe.... is that politically correct? How does the vang flatten the main, especially on a loose foot mainsail? Tadd read Alan's post again. Then read this article: http://www.sailingusa.info/sail_shape.htm PS. The flexible "boom" question is removed, thank you for your correction, Jim.
Here ya go.
This phrase has been around sailing for years. Anyone who has taken advanced sail/race training knows it well. This link says it best.
This phrase has been around sailing for years. Anyone who has taken advanced sail/race training knows it well. This link says it best.
politically correct gybe
That would be called an accidental gybe, and where the original meaning of BOOM came into being.
BTW it was not flexible boom in the response, it was felxible mast.
That would be called an accidental gybe, and where the original meaning of BOOM came into being.
BTW it was not flexible boom in the response, it was felxible mast.
Advanced Sail /Race Training
Jimg26: It is an accidental jibe. You have been around sail and race training I guess for a long time - what do you think causes an accidental jibe?
Jimg26: It is an accidental jibe. You have been around sail and race training I guess for a long time - what do you think causes an accidental jibe?
attention Roger....
if you were a registered member of SBO you would know that the posts can be edited for up to 24 hours by their authors. Jim obviously took the time to make this correction. So, likewise, I will envoke my editing powers and remove that question from my previous enquiry. By the way, Jim, thanks for the explanation of the "chinese jibe". I've been around for quite a while and have raced a number of those years but that was a new one. Maybe because it never happened to me.
if you were a registered member of SBO you would know that the posts can be edited for up to 24 hours by their authors. Jim obviously took the time to make this correction. So, likewise, I will envoke my editing powers and remove that question from my previous enquiry. By the way, Jim, thanks for the explanation of the "chinese jibe". I've been around for quite a while and have raced a number of those years but that was a new one. Maybe because it never happened to me.
no offence intended there Joe
I guess I was too quick after the initial post and before the edit. Just wanted to clarify that indeed the vang can affect the mast bend. As for registering, I was registered at one time, but I suspect a recent computer change has altered my settings. I'll reregister. Thanks for the prompt.
I guess I was too quick after the initial post and before the edit. Just wanted to clarify that indeed the vang can affect the mast bend. As for registering, I was registered at one time, but I suspect a recent computer change has altered my settings. I'll reregister. Thanks for the prompt.
Boom Vang
Tadd5181: Sorry about this mate. You asked a simple question on the boom vang and the thread got off on a tangent, which left you with the boom vang line still in your hand - so to speak!! I'm going to do my best to answer your question in a separate topic later today. To finish off on the accidental gibe - what causes it is a situation called "sailing by the lee" and that is where the wind, while sailing downwind, is comiing over the side of the boat where the mainsail is located. The wind gets in front of the sail and flips it suddendly and violently to the other side of the boat. The movement can be prevented by the use of a "preventer" but is better preventer by not sailing by the lee in the first place. I almost bought the farm on a race from Redondo Beach to LA when the boat driver sailed by the lee and the boom came across and almost took my head off. All I saw was the end of the boom flash by my eyes - that's how close it was to taking my head with it.
Tadd5181: Sorry about this mate. You asked a simple question on the boom vang and the thread got off on a tangent, which left you with the boom vang line still in your hand - so to speak!! I'm going to do my best to answer your question in a separate topic later today. To finish off on the accidental gibe - what causes it is a situation called "sailing by the lee" and that is where the wind, while sailing downwind, is comiing over the side of the boat where the mainsail is located. The wind gets in front of the sail and flips it suddendly and violently to the other side of the boat. The movement can be prevented by the use of a "preventer" but is better preventer by not sailing by the lee in the first place. I almost bought the farm on a race from Redondo Beach to LA when the boat driver sailed by the lee and the boom came across and almost took my head off. All I saw was the end of the boom flash by my eyes - that's how close it was to taking my head with it.
Now that's settled...
...and all the hugs and kisses are finished, we should continue on with the vang discussion. ....the vang is one of the least utilized controls that a sailor has at his disposal. Even those who have given up many controls to in mast furling can still have a vang. However, if it isn't used(as is too often the case) good sail shape will be sacrificed. I know I know, there are those who say 'I'm a cruiser not a racer'. This is just a ridiculous argument. Proper sail trim is all about SAILING not racing or cruising. It's either right or it isn't. ...end of rant!
...and all the hugs and kisses are finished, we should continue on with the vang discussion. ....the vang is one of the least utilized controls that a sailor has at his disposal. Even those who have given up many controls to in mast furling can still have a vang. However, if it isn't used(as is too often the case) good sail shape will be sacrificed. I know I know, there are those who say 'I'm a cruiser not a racer'. This is just a ridiculous argument. Proper sail trim is all about SAILING not racing or cruising. It's either right or it isn't. ...end of rant!
Boom vang. Not limited to sail trim.
The boom vang can do different things to sail shape depending on what kind of boom vang you have. The basic soft boom vang made up of blocks and a line is used to reduce twist in the main. It can also be used as a combination vang and preventer if the lower end is attached to a sloted toerail or pad eye on deck. It would have to be attached somewhere just aft of the mast. A soft vang can also be used to haul a dink or man overboard back on board if the vang was moved to the outboard end of the boom. On the other hand, some solid vangs have the ability to induce twist which is handy when the winds are light. The weight of the boom will tend to reduce twist to the point of hooking the leech to weather. Easing some solid vangs will raise the boom and put some twist back into the main.
The boom vang can do different things to sail shape depending on what kind of boom vang you have. The basic soft boom vang made up of blocks and a line is used to reduce twist in the main. It can also be used as a combination vang and preventer if the lower end is attached to a sloted toerail or pad eye on deck. It would have to be attached somewhere just aft of the mast. A soft vang can also be used to haul a dink or man overboard back on board if the vang was moved to the outboard end of the boom. On the other hand, some solid vangs have the ability to induce twist which is handy when the winds are light. The weight of the boom will tend to reduce twist to the point of hooking the leech to weather. Easing some solid vangs will raise the boom and put some twist back into the main.
A little more on the Chinese Gybe
I read the post to the Wikipedia definition of a Chinese Gybe and it addressed the upper part of a sail moving from one side to the other while the lower part stayed on the original side. My experience is just the opposite, and since I did not see Don's explanation in this forum let me try this: A Chinese Gybe is an accidental gybe whereby the main boom accidentally gybes from one side to the other, lifting as it goes, such that there is enough slack in the sail, that only the lower part of the sail moves with the boom to the new side. This results in the lower part of the sail on one side of the mast while the upper part remains on the other. The resulting sail is twisted across the line of the mast and can only be corrected by a controlled gybe of the boom back to its original position. How is that?
I read the post to the Wikipedia definition of a Chinese Gybe and it addressed the upper part of a sail moving from one side to the other while the lower part stayed on the original side. My experience is just the opposite, and since I did not see Don's explanation in this forum let me try this: A Chinese Gybe is an accidental gybe whereby the main boom accidentally gybes from one side to the other, lifting as it goes, such that there is enough slack in the sail, that only the lower part of the sail moves with the boom to the new side. This results in the lower part of the sail on one side of the mast while the upper part remains on the other. The resulting sail is twisted across the line of the mast and can only be corrected by a controlled gybe of the boom back to its original position. How is that?
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