I extend my topping lift (quick disconnect fitting) and send it forward as
an assist line when stepping my mast. It's useless until I lift to about
25-30 degrees, but that's about where I'm stepping on the coach roof, and
can really appreciate someone holding steady at the bow.
On the other hand, I have no vang but see the need, especially in the case
of accidental gybes in strong breezes, in which cases I've had my boom
raised high enough to snag and hang up on my back stay.
Scout

"Thom Stewart" wrote in message
...
Bart,

I know that topping lift can be a PITA but it still has a lot of
advantages over the rigid vang. Just to mention a few;

A spare and ready back stay

A man overboard hoist

An end reinforcement of the boom when you want to use it as a crane
(Dingy recovery)

Ole Thom
P/S I've used to tail as a temporary sheet while clearing an over-ride
on the main sheet wench

Scout,

You, my friend, Need the topping lift. The way you sail and the boat you
sail you should be considering a "Cruising Vang" set-up and be-damned to
the Std Vang.

If you aren't aware of what I'm talking about, I'll explain;

Sailing on the Delaware River
(especially on that bend at St Mary's Hall)
You need a Vang that is also a "Preventer" It is cheaper and more
effective on your size boat.

Set a block on each Toe-rail directly under the Boom's position when the
Boom is fully let out. If you have a metal toe rail. If not you can use
the hand rail stanchion base.
( Close enough is good enough) Run a lite line from the Boom thru the
block and back to the cockpit. If you don't have a cleat, use the stern
mooring cleats. I hook my lines to the Boom with loops to a cleat on the
Boom at about the Vang location. That's it!!

When on a reach, I can pull the Boom down with the off side sheet winch.
When running free, I use it as a preventer to stop the Accidental Jibe.
I use it also as a Boom brake while Jibing.

Try it. A lot cheaper than a vang and you get a preventer you can set
from the cockpit.

Let Doug have his solid vang

Ole Thom

Thanks for the input Thom,
I'll have to use the stanchion base, but it's easy enough. I will give it a
try.
Scout

"Thom Stewart" wrote in message
...
Scout,

You, my friend, Need the topping lift. The way you sail and the boat you
sail you should be considering a "Cruising Vang" set-up and be-damned to
the Std Vang.

If you aren't aware of what I'm talking about, I'll explain;

Sailing on the Delaware River
(especially on that bend at St Mary's Hall)
You need a Vang that is also a "Preventer" It is cheaper and more
effective on your size boat.

Set a block on each Toe-rail directly under the Boom's position when the
Boom is fully let out. If you have a metal toe rail. If not you can use
the hand rail stanchion base.
( Close enough is good enough) Run a lite line from the Boom thru the
block and back to the cockpit. If you don't have a cleat, use the stern
mooring cleats. I hook my lines to the Boom with loops to a cleat on the
Boom at about the Vang location. That's it!!

When on a reach, I can pull the Boom down with the off side sheet winch.
When running free, I use it as a preventer to stop the Accidental Jibe.
I use it also as a Boom brake while Jibing.

Try it. A lot cheaper than a vang and you get a preventer you can set
from the cockpit.

Let Doug have his solid vang

Ole Thom

Yr right Thom, a few sharp turns on the Del (just a bit further up the River
does a 90 deg turn in about 2500 feet). The wind gets swirling too, due to
all the obstructions (e.g., a mountainous landfill) so it seems to be coming
from all directions. The current gets strong too, and when passing under the
two bridges, especially the PA turnpike bridge, it feels like the sailboat
equivalent of "shooting the rapids." I've never been able to sail upriver
through these points without the tide's help (or motor-sailing).
Scout

"Thom Stewart" wrote
[snip]
Sailing on the Delaware River
(especially on that bend at St Mary's Hall)
You need a Vang that is also a "Preventer" It is cheaper and more
effective on your size boat.

Good idea, but a word of caution. Most production stanchion bases I
have seen do not have enough meat in them to handle the shock loads
associated with a preventer. The little loops of steel do not have
enough weldment on the socket or base.


On Sat, 28 Aug 2004 14:22:31 -0700, (Thom Stewart)
wrote:

Scout,

You, my friend, Need the topping lift. The way you sail and the boat you
sail you should be considering a "Cruising Vang" set-up and be-damned to
the Std Vang.

If you aren't aware of what I'm talking about, I'll explain;

Sailing on the Delaware River
(especially on that bend at St Mary's Hall)
You need a Vang that is also a "Preventer" It is cheaper and more
effective on your size boat.

Set a block on each Toe-rail directly under the Boom's position when the
Boom is fully let out. If you have a metal toe rail. If not you can use
the hand rail stanchion base.
( Close enough is good enough) Run a lite line from the Boom thru the
block and back to the cockpit. If you don't have a cleat, use the stern
mooring cleats. I hook my lines to the Boom with loops to a cleat on the
Boom at about the Vang location. That's it!!

When on a reach, I can pull the Boom down with the off side sheet winch.
When running free, I use it as a preventer to stop the Accidental Jibe.
I use it also as a Boom brake while Jibing.

Try it. A lot cheaper than a vang and you get a preventer you can set
from the cockpit.

Let Doug have his solid vang

Ole Thom

We take ours straight to the rail...tying off to the stanchion base also
weakens the seal and you end up with leaks from all the pull there....

"Marc" wrote in message
...
Good idea, but a word of caution. Most production stanchion bases I
have seen do not have enough meat in them to handle the shock loads
associated with a preventer. The little loops of steel do not have
enough weldment on the socket or base.


On Sat, 28 Aug 2004 14:22:31 -0700, (Thom Stewart)
wrote:

Scout,

You, my friend, Need the topping lift. The way you sail and the boat you
sail you should be considering a "Cruising Vang" set-up and be-damned to
the Std Vang.

If you aren't aware of what I'm talking about, I'll explain;

Sailing on the Delaware River
(especially on that bend at St Mary's Hall)
You need a Vang that is also a "Preventer" It is cheaper and more
effective on your size boat.

Set a block on each Toe-rail directly under the Boom's position when the
Boom is fully let out. If you have a metal toe rail. If not you can use
the hand rail stanchion base.
( Close enough is good enough) Run a lite line from the Boom thru the
block and back to the cockpit. If you don't have a cleat, use the stern
mooring cleats. I hook my lines to the Boom with loops to a cleat on the
Boom at about the Vang location. That's it!!

When on a reach, I can pull the Boom down with the off side sheet winch.
When running free, I use it as a preventer to stop the Accidental Jibe.
I use it also as a Boom brake while Jibing.

Try it. A lot cheaper than a vang and you get a preventer you can set
from the cockpit.

Let Doug have his solid vang

Ole Thom

I've learned a lot with this boat. My next boat will have more bells and
whistles, and be more seaworthy. I've also worried about the stays being
ripped out by their roots, particularly when I've taken the boat outside,
through the inlet South of Long Beach Island, NJ. I've been tossed around a
good bit and wondered how much stress/shock they could handle.
Scout

"Marc" wrote in message
...
Good idea, but a word of caution. Most production stanchion bases I
have seen do not have enough meat in them to handle the shock loads
associated with a preventer. The little loops of steel do not have
enough weldment on the socket or base.


On Sat, 28 Aug 2004 14:22:31 -0700, (Thom Stewart)
wrote:

Scout,

You, my friend, Need the topping lift. The way you sail and the boat you
sail you should be considering a "Cruising Vang" set-up and be-damned to
the Std Vang.

If you aren't aware of what I'm talking about, I'll explain;

Sailing on the Delaware River
(especially on that bend at St Mary's Hall)
You need a Vang that is also a "Preventer" It is cheaper and more
effective on your size boat.

Set a block on each Toe-rail directly under the Boom's position when the
Boom is fully let out. If you have a metal toe rail. If not you can use
the hand rail stanchion base.
( Close enough is good enough) Run a lite line from the Boom thru the
block and back to the cockpit. If you don't have a cleat, use the stern
mooring cleats. I hook my lines to the Boom with loops to a cleat on the
Boom at about the Vang location. That's it!!

When on a reach, I can pull the Boom down with the off side sheet winch.
When running free, I use it as a preventer to stop the Accidental Jibe.
I use it also as a Boom brake while Jibing.

Try it. A lot cheaper than a vang and you get a preventer you can set
from the cockpit.

Let Doug have his solid vang

Ole Thom