RIGID VANG

I have some questions on the vang too.

We know it does away with the topping lift, but what are the other advantages? Under what conditions do you use this baby?

On every boat I ever sailed on with a vang, the owner never used it.

Often when I'm sailing on a broad reach or a run in choppy seas, the boom will flop around, spilling air. Will a vang help with this problem?

The line on the vang provides a 4 to 1 purchase when pulling on the vang halyard.

Downwind, the vang holds the boom down and prevents it from bouncing around when the boat rolls. (Does not prevent a jibe, however. For that, you need a preventer). This improves downwind sailing performance.

Upwind, the vang can tighten the sail in brisk winds to make it more like a blade, again improving performance.

With a rigid vang you are able to deveope more down force power than with most non rigid vangs. Not needing a topping lift or boom gallows is, of course, a big added benefit.

Capt'n Pete
I Mentioned some weeks back that I have this vang and I can say without hesitation that since mounting it I have used it every time I go out sailing. The value of it I suppose depends on what you use it for. For us the key points are:
-Removes the worry of a line chaffing above your view
-It removes weight aloft
-Makes a flatter sail by depowering it
-Keeps the main from doing a goose neck jibe (ugly)
-allows you to lower the main during a reef with out the boom sitting in the cockpit
-helps eliminate weather helm on the tiller (flatter)
-It will help hold the main out during a run and will keep it from bouncing up.
-Gives you one more tool to trim sail with

These are some of the key points. I know that I often come across as "just a racer", but I do think that racing can make you a better all around sailor. Considering the above points, your boat should sail better. It will help keep her on her lines, will help eliminate drag on the rudder, allow you to shape your sail for efficiency and above all it looks "cool". Hope this helps.....ed

IMHO, any vang is better than no vang. A rigid vang is the way to go if you can afford it.

There are two reasons why people often don't use their boom vangs:

The main reason is that most rope vangs have the control and cam cleat up at the mast, a most inconvenient place. When you have to go forward to make a basic sail adjustment, it will tend to be ignored. Running the control line aft eliminates this problem.

The other reason is that many people don't realize just how much a vang can help their sail shape and control...so they underutilize it. When the vang is easy and fun to play with, it gets used much more. Plus, the Garhauer comes with a 16:1 tackle that makes adjustment a snap. 4:1 on most rope vangs can require some exertion to pull down completely, making it less likely sometimes that they get properly used.

Anyone buying a Garhauer should ensure that they are getting the model that allows the control line to lead aft to the cockpit. They provide plenty of line with the vang for this--in fact, too much. You will tweak this thing often, with utter joy.

Oh, and one further advantage of the Garhauer (or other rigid, spring-loaded vang) is that in extremely light winds, you can release it a bit to free the leech of the sail, since the wind may lack the strength to hold it up on its own. I know one can do this with a topping lift, technically, but it's easier and more convenient with the vang.

Note that all rigid vangs still rely on an external rope tackle to do the adjusting--that cylinder only contains a spring that forces the boom up, supporting it. The tackle pulls it back down.

Given the high prices of rope vangs (barely less than the Garhauer), it certainly makes sense to go this route. And be the envy of all your friends. And then understand why some of us are always pushing these things!

Tim

glissando had the answer to my question. a rigid vang is not solid, as the name would imply. it all makes complete sense now.
thanks-km

Well, I'm convinced. The vang just moved up to page 3 of my "To Do" list.

When I tell people that I need to get a "rigid boom vang" they ordinarily suggest that I try some Viagra. :mad:

I was talking with Garhauer Marine on Friday about a rigid vang. He has the template for the Ariel, but asked if the Commander is exactly the same. :confused:
I said I would ask my primo knowledge base...
Any takers?

I would assume that Because the Commander does not have the "humped" house just behind the mast, that the vang can be placed lower down on the Commander's mast. Which might indicate the need for an adjustment in Garhauer's computations. You may need to take the requested measurements . . :)