Posted: 02 Aug 2009 at 9:21pm
Has anyone had any experience adding a Boom Vang to a Dolphin? I bought 168 which was a basket case and after a busy spring and early summer, finally got her on the water. Great boat everything that I had hoped. The one thing that I have noticed is the lack of a Vang. I come from dinghies (Snipes and Thistles) where we used them extensively. In reviewing photos on line I have noticed a few boats with Vangs. Nothing in the sail plan drawings and one reference in the tech section on a ridged Vang, I don't think I'll go that far. Currently thinking of 8:1 with a lead aft. Any insight, photos or comments would be appreciated.


Posted: 04 Aug 2009 at 10:45am
Doug Pease of Asparta #153 told me that a vang was a great improvement for his boat and would be something I'd definately want to add to Grand Finale. Either him or Eric Evans, Robin Lee, #118 would have dimensions and mounting points. Good luck and take pictures to share.

Beautiful boats and fair winds!
Sailinmike
Dolphin #300
Grande Finale


Posted: 07 Aug 2009 at 2:14pm
Hi Brad and Mike
I waited a couple of days to see what came up - I have updated the Boom page on the Technical section to show Marionette's vang with pictures. The vang is very important for controlling the boom and for trimming the main. http://www.dolphin24.org/technical_booms.html

Ron
Marionette, # 12


Posted: 13 Aug 2009 at 7:56pm
Thanks it looks pretty straight forward. I see 4:1 which given recent experience with a gerry rigged system seems about right for cruising.

I also noted internal blocking for the outhaul. I assume that would be 4:1, I currently have just the turning block at the clew. Perhaps I should be starting a new string for this issue.

Thanks Again.


Posted: 18 Aug 2009 at 6:25pm
Hi Brad

I set up my vang on Robin Lee as a 4:1 block and tackle, the action end led aft through a turning block to the sheet stopper bank on the starboard cabin top. This allows easy adjustment for me when single handing, which I do a lot. I think it works really well. the 4:1 has proved to be plenty of purchase, and if I need a bit more UMMMPH to cinch it down, I can throw the tail around the halyard winch.

Here's a photo that shows the setup pretty well. I had the mast hinge fitting made up by Garhauer. It's attached to the aft side of the mast by eight tapped-in machine screws. Bullet-proof. On the bottom of the hinge is a short tang, to which is attached a Garhauer single block, to turn the line down to the deck turning block, from which the line traces aft to the stopper.

So far this setup has worked beautifully. You should also look at Doug Pease's solid vang setup. It's a great way to go, and it has the added benefit of holding up the boom when the mainsail is not flying. I think that Ron has some photos of Doug's setup on the site somewhere. Good luck!

Erik Evens
Los Angeles, CA
"Robin Lee", Yankee Dolphin #118


Posted: 19 Aug 2009 at 10:13am
I like it.

I have a eye mounted to the aft slope of the deck mast base which seems to be just crying for the lower end of the vang connection. Problem is I don't know what it is connected to. It would move the lower point back allowing the vang to relax while beating and then set on a reach or run. Your system does the same with the mast bracket extending the point of pivot back a bit.

I also enjoyed the halyards led aft all on one side. I have been penciling them out to split equally to either side. Something about symmetry. Single sided would certainly simplify things.

Thanks for the photos. Nice looking boat.


Posted: 19 Aug 2009 at 10:38am
Erik,

great pictures of the mast attachment. Could you show the same detail on the boom attachment of the vang and list the measurement of the mounting point from the mast?

Thanks.

Mike
Beautiful boats and fair winds!
Sailinmike
Dolphin #300
Grande Finale


Posted: 19 Aug 2009 at 12:46pm
Thanks Brad

I actually have a bank of two stoppers and a winch on the port side as well. To port I have the jib halyard and the spinnaker pole lift, and to starboard I have the main halyard, the spinnaker halyard, the main reefing line, and the boom vang.

No particular magic with that arrangement... the stoppers were there when I got the boat. I'll bet that it's hard to find stoppers in a three-gang unit, hence the two-and-four setup.

I had a pad eye on the deck in the location you describe, and I attached the vang there initially. Very bad idea. It quickly ripped out of the deck. I discovered that it was attached with some large stainless lag screws. Beware!

Mike - the vang attaches to the boom to a eye fitting that was there when I got the boat. Not sure about its strength, plus its more of a 90 degree pad eye type fitting, and I don't like the way it's loaded by the vang, at an angle. When I redo the boom, I'll probably do a bail like the one Ron had on Marionette. As far as the measurement of the attachment point, I'll have to go down to the boat to get it. I'll try to do that in the next few days.

Erik Evens
Los Angeles, CA
"Robin Lee", Yankee Dolphin #118


Posted: 24 Aug 2009 at 6:40pm
Originally posted by sailinmike:

Erik,

great pictures of the mast attachment. Could you show the same detail on the boom attachment of the vang and list the measurement of the mounting point from the mast?

Thanks
Mike


Reply:
The vang attachment point on my boat is 34" from the aft face of the mast.
Erik Evens
Los Angeles, CA
"Robin Lee", Yankee Dolphin #118