Boom Vang on MKII w/ In-mast Furling

[tonywright]

I have noticed that the rigid vang doesn't do much to hold up the boom. I have to use the topping lift to get the boom to stay high enough off the dodger. I have the roller furling main, so the boom is equipped with a track for the sliding car. Maybe this makes the boom heavier than the standard?

I am wondering if there is an adjustment, is it undersized, or maybe worn out in some way?

Anyone else notice the same?

Tony

[Stu Jackson]

Tony, my understanding from folks who were among the first to get the in-mast furling is that the rigid vang operates differently for in-mast furling than the old rigid vang does for traditional booms.  It appears that it's there for more boom support primarily to obtain the correct angle for reefing or furling the main than it is for getting the boom really high, and may not have as much upwards mobility as the traditional ones.  I also didn't notice whether or not these folks also had a topping lift, but it would seem that if a boat came with a topping lift, it would be there to be used.  I don't know if boats that came from the factory with rigid boom vangs and traditional mainsails still had topping lifts.  Is your topping lift run aft?  If not, it should be a relatively easy thing to do.  I know, I know, easy for me to say...

[tonywright]

Stu

My topping lift is fully installed and connected. Without it, the boom hangs a bit low. So the rigid vang really isn't doing much other than support most of the weight of the boom at horizontal.

Tony

[Stu Jackson]

Tony, I've also noticed that the in-mast furling boom vangs appears to be "slimmer" than the apparently more robust traditional units.  I don't know if Garhauer made different ones for different uses.

[Jim Hardesty]

Tony,
I also have the furling main and the boom vang does not support the boom 100%.  The P.O. single handed, didn't use the topping lift, so the dodger has wear where the boom lays.  I use the topping lift, and adjust for sailing or storage.  The topping lift, depending on the wind, does set up quite a vibration at the dock.  Hasn't bothered my sleep enough to do anything about that yet.
I am thinking about adding some shock cord to the topping lift at the boom to take up the slack and boost the vang support.  So many things to do.
I'd rather be sailing.
Jim