Want To Buy: Solid/Rigid Boom Vang

[The Vortex]

Hi All,
Due to a fish strike induced boat handling error, We now have a very bent hydraulic vang on our Choate 40. Sad, but I have been trying to get rid of the hydraulics anyway...does anyone have a big solid vang to replace ours? Thanks.

[Cheechako]

I guess if you are racing you need one, but to me rigid vangs are just breakage waiting to happen for cruising....

[MarkSF]

Have you looked at Garhauer? I have one and it's hard to imagine it breaking.

[The Vortex]

I AM usually racing something, distance, darkness, the weather, tug-n-tows, etc. I love not using a boom topping lift and the leech control is great to have...as you know...

Garhauer would be my choice also. Thanks.

[MarkSF]

Been using it for 2 years now, what I like is that it has a lot of reduction so the leech control is fairly effortless.

[svHyLyte]

We've been using a Garhauer vang for 11 years. It is an excellant piece of equipment and very affordable. That it easily supports the boom when reefing is a particular advantage. We ease the main sheet, cast off the vang and drop the main halyard to pre-marked positions and can set a reef in less than 3 minutes.

FWIW...

[The Vortex]

So is that racing?

[svHyLyte]

Originally Posted by The Vortex

So is that racing?

If your question is in reference to my comment, above, we may be racing with respect to setting a reef before the main body of a squall hits, or with respect to getting on and back off the deck during a lull as quickly as possible, etc.

[The Vortex]

That is also my definition of racing, anymore. I just rowed back out with my freshly straightened hydraulic vang, a prop shaft maestro here in La Paz did a beautiful job. I still would like the Gerhauer, 'tho. The hydraulic stuff is too messy and expensive.

[gtunison]

I have one. Its in napa, I am in IL. May get out there in june/july. Will you be stateside?

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by The Vortex

Hi All,
Due to a fish strike induced boat handling error, We now have a very bent hydraulic vang on our Choate 40. Sad, but I have been trying to get rid of the hydraulics anyway...does anyone have a big solid vang to replace ours? Thanks.

What size is your hyd. vang? I still have the one off my Choate. I tested it a couple years ago and it still has the nitrogen up to pressure. Could make you a special deal.

[The Vortex]

My vang is 71 inches overall when fully extended, with 1/2 inch pins. I see from your photos that you have gone non-hydraulic also. With the hyd. babystay, too much plumbing in my overheads!

[delmarrey]

Mines a bit smaller @ 56" pin to pin. Yeah it's way small for my set up now. My boom is 17' long and this wouldn't hold the weight very well. All I have now is the hyd. backstay. The mast jack was taken out when the mast was changed.

[riggear]

Hi,
I have a excellent Hall Vang for You...its Big.

I almost lost my life one night slipping almost overboard when i stepped in leaking hydraulic fluid running out of the vang onto the lee deck, That was 27 years ago and i still wake up with cold sweats.. No Hydraulics on the deck for this sailor,,,NEVER AGAIN

Anyways..... The Hall Quick Vang is for 5/8" Pins, but they could be bushed down.
The current length is approx 95", but i have drawings from Hall Spar on how to shorten to 79".
Please send me email if You are interested and i can send further details and also photos
Dave