On Thu, 19 Aug 2004 06:23:51 GMT, "Bart Senior"
wrote:

So how do you like the Offshore Spares solid vang? Could you live
without it, or is it a major plus having it?

I like it, but if I were buying another one I would get the Garhauer.
Mine is strongly built but that spring does have a somewhat awful
sound, like a rusty spring in a car suspension. Probably the most
annoying thing about it is the series of holes for the quick release
pin, which is much like the Spinlock. While this is not an issue for
most (all) of the rest of you, down here we have these annoying mud
wasps that love nothing better than holes like that. They must think
of them as birdhouses. In two weeks time they could completely fill
my vang tube with mud, which is not easily removed and really screws
up the ability of the vang to be adjusted. I'll bet you didn't expect
that in my report, did you? I have to keep the holes covered with
rigging tape.

It is a nice thing to have and it is very strongly made. I would
definitely want to have a solid vang, but I would be just as happy
with a Garhauer, which, while inexpensive, *might* be on the heavy
side for serious racers.



"felton" wrote

I am no engineer, but my boat does have a well built boom (Hall) and a
solid vang (Offshore Spars) and a topping lift. I am not worried
about any of the three under any conditions. My vang does have a
means to "lock" it with a quick release pin and a number of holes into
which it can be placed.