NSW
593 posts
basically the topic subject says it all, what are the pro's of having a solid vang system opposed to the all rope, pulley system that is standard on smaller boats and older yachts?
1979 posts
I think the bigger yachts use them because they can hold the boom up when they drop the main. I'm sure there's other reasons as well. The upside down ones they use on skiffs are to stop the mast inverting from kite loads and to make more room.
WA
193 posts
Their used to bend the lower part of the mast, before the tip.
because they push between the boom and the mast in an opposite direction, rather than normal vangs wich pull them together.
29ers and 49ers use them
i think some 14fters use them to.
WA
393 posts
unchained i don't think he's referring to the 49er, 29er style vangs rather those seen on large yachts that are in the place of a conventional vang but have 2 aluminium tubes that slide one inside the other.
i can only speak from experience but the yacht i sail on uses one of these vangs, we only ever occasionaly use it to hold the boom up as we figure a boom topper is a better alternative, apart from this i feel there is no difference/advantage rather than simplicity. alot of the more competitive yachts in the WA offshore racing scene (ninety-seven, walk on the wild side, ausmaid etc) use the old style, so there can't be that much benefit in the style being debated, i sure haven't noticed any.
NSW
593 posts
thanks guys, the reason i ask is my olds just got a new boat and it has one of these vangs. And yeh i was referring to the yacht sytle not the 'reverse vang' by bethwaite.
That is interesting, i didn't realise that the vang can hold the boom up, now i see why the topper on our new yacht was tied off at the mast, not run back into a clutch.. they probably didn't use it often. Although i agree the topper seems to be a better alternative..
WA
393 posts
boom topper is defintely a better alternative for big boats with heavy booms. the boat i sail on the boom + mainsail together probably weighs a couple of hundred kg's so that sort of load on a vang which is only about 15% of the length of the bom, you do the statics and thats a bloody big force f you're resting it on the vang...
NSW
714 posts
For bigger boats a boom topper is not as good as a solid vang. If the boom & mainsail weigh a few hundred kgs then you have that mass hanging from the masttip all the time.
A solid vang can lift the boom to provide more twist in the roach in very light winds (effectively negating the mass of the boom).
It is also convenient when dropping the sails as the boom doesnt get in the way when packing the boat up.
The best solution for supporting the boom for long periods of time is to make a cradle that stands on the afterdeck. That way there is no load on the mast.
JB
WA
65 posts
Dont know what "hosko" is looking at on Ausmaid. I am Pretty sure that they have a solid Vang, but use rope to hold the tension.
Wild Side and Syrenka have rope vangs for a couple of reasons. Weight of a 900mm of 8mm Dyneema is far less than 50mm OD Aluminium, Also you need to take the boom off to lower the mast to get under the Bridges! You will also note that Wild Side and Syrenka rest the boom on the deck when not sailing, There is no point keeping the topper, and top of the mast under any load, when not sailing.
Some of the solid vangs on bigger boats (VO70) are Hydraulic but are a pain in the arse when you get a small leak. Very Slippery. Personally I prefer the rope vang. Easy to service, Cant really get much to go rong with it and you can make a weak point in it, so the vang breaks before the mast.
Lastly i think the Americas Cup Boats have rope vangs too!
5 posts
Doubt there would be very many boats in the 50+ft range wihtout hydrolic vangs. imagine that 50 fter rope vang, (skipper) vang....Vang......VANG...(Crew) finally uncleats, aftre passing through the first 3 blocks.... buy a f898ing hydrolic vang. AC boat with out hydrolic vang doubt it 100ft righ 2m square top, not great at math but thats a fir bit for a purchase sytem. Wihtt he new hydrolic rams, titanim/carbon hydralics is no heavier and the irc penality for non man power is non excistant
WA
393 posts
anyone care to translate that into english?
1979 posts
Imagine sailing with that guy.
