On 19 Aug 2004 05:55:35 GMT, (SAIL LOCO) wrote:

Lots of these rigid vangs break, compared to rope vangs
which are more reliable, obviously. As OZ stated booms often
break right at the vang attachment point. This is a weak point
because of the leverage, as CM stated.

Not if installed correctly. I had my Quick Vang boom bracket break loose from
the boom once as we crossed the starting line of a race. The reason for the
failure ..... the nitwit who installed the boom fitting attached it to the thin
walled boom with machine screws and no backing plate. I would be all of 2
threads had been holding that fitting on. I drilled and tapped proper sized
holes in a 5' long piece of 1/2" x 1/2" aluminum bar stock and placed it inside
the boom. Now those machine screws have much more meat to get a grip on and
the 5' length really spreads the load. We've done a couple of auto jibes in
big winds on downwind legs with nothing breaking since then.
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
"Trains are a winter sport"


You could have stuck a piece of pipe in your boom. I have heard of
that being done:)

A fine idea.

"SAIL LOCO" wrote ...

I drilled and tapped proper sized
holes in a 5' long piece of 1/2" x 1/2" aluminum bar stock and placed it
inside
the boom. Now those machine screws have much more meat to get a grip on
and
the 5' length really spreads the load. We've done a couple of auto jibes
in
big winds on downwind legs with nothing breaking since then.

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

"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.

A fine idea, my ass!!

Any rigger worth his Salt would have drill thru the boom (2 holes)
Through bolted with the proper size bolt, lock washers and nut in place.

Ole Thom

Thom Stewart wrote:
A fine idea, my ass!!

Any rigger worth his Salt would have drill thru the boom (2 holes)
Through bolted with the proper size bolt, lock washers and nut in place.

With a compression fitting on the inside, of course.

DSK

Thom Stewart wrote:
Doug,

I mentioned early in this discussion that with a topping lift hoisting
boom, the boom only positions the location of hoist. There is very, very
little force on the boom. The hoist is on the topping lift.

Mooran re-stated this.

You are the one insisting the force is the same on the end of the boom
supported on the other end by a Vang and a gooseneck. We say BS and sign
off.

In other words, you're saying that 100# on the end of the boom supported
by a topping lift is not the same as 100# on the end of the boom
supported by a solid vang?

OK but I'm a little confused... how does the weight know the difference?

DSK

You have 'way too much common sense. WTF are you trying to do, stop an
argument?

BTW is your Hall boom a box section?

DSK

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. Last year I was sailing when the water levels
were VERY low and we managed to find a shallow sandy spot and run
aground. Hey, not the first time or the last, I am sure. We were
able to swing the boom out over the side and my friend climbed out on
the end of it to give us some heel as we had very little wind to work
with. We managed to sail off and enjoy the day. No big deal. I keep
the topping lift because it is quick and easy to lift the boom for
extra clearance above the bimini when the sail is down, rather than
screwing with the vang. Just my preference, but it works well for me.
If my main had more roach to it that was creating a chaffe issue, I
would probably get rid of it as I don't really *need* it, but I like
it, so the)

I don't consider the power release an advantage since you add another
manual operation to using the vang. Increase the mech advantage of the
tackle if the spring or piston resistance is too much. On my boat, as
originally rigged with a soft vang, the lazy jacks performed the
topping lift function




On Thu, 19 Aug 2004 06:05:02 GMT, "Bart Senior"
wrote:

BB,

Based on his posts, I'd say Doug is probably the best sailor
in this whole group, and he is certainly the most outstanding
topic contributor.

Spinlock rigid vangs lock. Also hydraulic vangs don't have
a lock per se, but can be locked hydraulically. I've also seen
beefy mechanical screw type rigid vangs that can be locked in
any position. I've seen such mechanical devices used for
backstay adjusters where they are probably better suited.
Rigid vangs that lock in position are not uncommon.

The Spinlock is the rigid vang I've been considering, and the
reason I started this thread. Here is evidence that rigid vangs
do lock, as Doug stated.

http://us.binnacle.com/online/produc...&dept_id=15110

*****************************************8

I'm wondering about boats with floating goosenecks. My Ericson's
gooseneck can slide on a track, in lieu of a Cunningham, to flatten
the sail.

In such a case, a rigid vang may not have the play I need to
function properly. Also of concern is the fact that a rigid vang
would work against my boom downhaul. Anyone have any
experience with this?


wrote

On Wed, 18 Aug 2004 19:38:18 -0400, DSK wrote:

All the ones I've seen also have locks.

...(stupid BS snipped) ...
I'm not surprised you don't know this. Maybe if you were other than an
armchair
wannabe sailor...

Maybe if you sailed anything other than a cheap old beater, maybe if you
had some experience with other than obsolete gear, maybe if you hung
around sailors who know how to sail and how to rig their boats properly,
you'd know that solid vangs have locks.

DSK

Just more proof that DSK is no sailor and simply parrots what he "thinks"
he
read in a magazine.

Please contact Garhauer, who is a major player, if not the biggest in this
field
and ask how many of their vangs have locks. Doug is an idiot of Jax
proportions.

BB

You could have stuck a piece of pipe in your boom. I have heard of
that being done:).

The 1/2" square piece of aluminum bar stock was easier to cut than cast iron.
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
"Trains are a winter sport"

Any rigger worth his Salt would have drill thru the boom (2 holes)
Through bolted with the proper size bolt, lock washers and nut in place.

LOL.................. That might work if your boom was only 2 feet long or if
you had 6 foot arms.
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
"Trains are a winter sport"