What's with the boom vang?

[coolchange]

So, I have rope pulley boom vang..which I am guessing is the standard set-up since this boat is nothing but basic. The line leads back to the aft and can go through a "clutch" (I think that is the term...it's a little box that the line passes through and can be clamped or released) The problem, and question, revolve around the fact that the line passes through a "clam cam stopper" (so beat me if I am using wrong term) that locks the line but at the mast...and in order to release the clam you have to climb up to the mast ...is this right? I am guessing not and think since the clutch is there and easy to get to I could remove the clam at the vang and have the ability to release and adjust from the helm.

am I right?...any other solutions?

[nedmiller]

A picture of what you have would be great! You should set it up so that you do not have to go to the mast to release it. Put only a block and tackle up under the boom (two double pullys), with the final line leading back to some sort of cleat that can grip the rope and you can reach from the cockpit.
SILK

[Hamin' X]

I have the same setup that you do, so I will venture a guess that your boat was a BWY boat? On the starboard side of the foot of the mast, I have two blocks and over by the stanchion, another two. The mainsail halyard goes through one half of these and the boomvang the other. Both lines then come back to the cockpit on the starboard side; the halyard to the starboard winch and camcleat, the boomvang through a rope clutch. This effectively bypasses the camcleat on the boomvang. I will provide pictures the next time I'm down at my boat.

~Rich

[Hamin' X]

Revision: The boomvang only goes through the second set of blocks.







~Rich

[c130king]

I only have the "clam cam stopper" at the bottom of my boom vang. The line will reach back to about the back edge of the sliding hatch...I just let it sit there.

So I climb up on top of the hatch to loosen when I get ready to raise the main...normally I do this while still tied up at the dock when I take my sail cover off. Then once the main is up I sheet it in as hard as I can to get the boom as low as I can...then I lean over the hatch and pull the boom vang as tight as I can get it...

...And then I just leave it that way the rest of the time the main is up...I never adjust. Just doesn't seem worth the effort.

Just another opinion...my opinion and $3.75 will get you a Vente Mocha Latte at Staryucks.



Cheers,
Jim
Sailing on König
Sailing on König YouTube Channel

[ronacarme]

We have no rope clutch. Just the stock Mac vang .....noncleat block at mast base bail and block with cleat at boom....line hangs from cleat above main hatch.. lean forward over the main hatch to tighten and cleat or uncleat by a downward pull in the hanging line end.....simple and effective.
Ron

[coolchange]

Thanks for the feedback...always helps to have input other than my own..especially when I am guessing.

[Phil M]

I am guessing the boom vang is hardly worth the effort to use it.

Phil M

[mastreb]

So, I have rope pulley boom vang..which I am guessing is the standard set-up since this boat is nothing but basic. The line leads back to the aft and can go through a "clutch" (I think that is the term...it's a little box that the line passes through and can be clamped or released) The problem, and question, revolve around the fact that the line passes through a "clam cam stopper" (so beat me if I am using wrong term) that locks the line but at the mast...and in order to release the clam you have to climb up to the mast ...is this right? I am guessing not and think since the clutch is there and easy to get to I could remove the clam at the vang and have the ability to release and adjust from the helm.

am I right?...any other solutions?

The vang comes with a clam cam. The rope clutch is aftermarket. Eliminate one or the other.

[Catigale]

If you swap the vang end for end, the becket will no longer clamp the line and you can just bring it aft to the cam cleat....

[rtrinkle]

I only have the "clam cam stopper" at the bottom of my boom vang. The line will reach back to about the back edge of the sliding hatch...I just let it sit there.

So I climb up on top of the hatch to loosen when I get ready to raise the main...normally I do this while still tied up at the dock when I take my sail cover off. Then once the main is up I sheet it in as hard as I can to get the boom as low as I can...then I lean over the hatch and pull the boom vang as tight as I can get it...

...And then I just leave it that way the rest of the time the main is up...I never adjust. Just doesn't seem worth the effort.

Just another opinion...my opinion and $3.75 will get you a Vente Mocha Latte at Staryucks.



Cheers,
Jim
Sailing on König
Sailing on König YouTube Channel

Diddo here.. This boat is not performance based enough to adjust the vang while sailing. In light winds, I usually release the vang from the cleat and let the boom kicker do the work. In (moderate) 5-10 knots wind, I just cleat it without bending the boom kicker, and in heavy winds 12-25 knots, I tighten it up like Jim describes. Then I usually don't change it, unless I cross the boundary between light, moderate, and heavy winds sustained. Usually don't go out in weather past 25 knots, at least not sailing, the admiral doesn't like it..
Robert

[bscott]

I don't use my boom vang as it is one more rig I have to mess with when I reef or hove to. I use my triangle main sheet to control the boom on reaches--much more effective, faster to deploy and no need to climb on the cabin.
The traveler should also be sufficient provided you increase the purchase to at lest 6:1

Bob

[mastreb]

I agree that the boat is not performanced based enough to worry too much about using the vang--at least here in San Diego we don't get the kind of wind that requires much tuning of the sail shape. I just installed a boomkicker yesterday, but it's purpose is to hold the boom up like a topping lift when we're in port

[Hamin' X]

Perhaps paying attention to sail shape is why I have absolutely no trouble tacking, regardless of wind conditions?

~Rich

[vizwhiz]

I was messing with my boom vang setup on the hard (using the mast-raising pulley system...works fine) and noticed the same thing - the cam cleat that holds the rope when raising the mast becomes unnecessary when using the system as a boom vang - so i just took the rope out of the little eyestrap that makes it grab the cam cleat, and it doesn't any longer. Works fine mechanically.**

You can also swap it end-for-end as Cat suggested...the only reason I didn't do that is that I still need to use it to raise/lower the mast.


**don't know what impact it will have on sailing.