Boom Vang For CP-16

[Ron Dettwiler]

I need some advise from you guys who have already installed a boom vang on a CP-16.  How do you mount the vang to the boom?  With a bail or hound?  Is the bail or hound through bolted or screwed into the boom?  How far out from the gooseneck did you install the bail (or hound)?  How did you fasten the vang to the mast foot?  What type blocks did you use to get the mechanical advantage needed?  And lastly, was it worth it?  Did you get the expected sail shape?  
I know these are a lot of questions, but I'd like to do it right the first time.  Thanks in advance.
Ron
CP-16 "At Ease"

[wmswart]

Hi Ron - I have the same questions .... A friend is giving me his old boom vang and I need to figure out how/where to make the attachment points on the boom.  I will probably attach the fore end to the block plate under my tabernackel.  I have no experience, but I've got to believe this will make an improvement to the 16s sail shape.  As expected, the boom really lifts when running or broad reaching, so I can't imagine it wouldn't make a difference.

BTW, this is a "premade" vang ... like one you'd buy from WM.  It attaches to the boom by a short cable pendant with a cable "ball" swaged into it. I would need to buy some sort of flat gate and mout it to the boom.  I think this would be better than a bail, as it would still allow me to roller reef the main.

[backtalker]

Here's what I used, and it's worked wonderfully for me all season.  Ronstan makes a small 3:1 soft vang (RK6-310) that sells for around $38 from Defender.  I through-bolted a Schaefer Marine boom bail (90-01) 24" from the gooseneck, and it clears the hatchway reasonably well.  I attached that end with a Wichard eyeless carbine hook (2333) and a Wichard clevis (1202) through the upper vang block. Instead of attaching to the thin metal of the mast foot itself, I opted for a novel approach. I used a Seoladair rolling bail (R064-095) which straddles the mast foot entirely and a 1"-longer mast bolt to hold it in place.  The rolling clevis' pin (included with the rolling bail) is Loc-Tited from the factory, so I used a Wichard large-opening clevis (1262) to attach the lower vang block to it. I had to use some small nylon spacers to center the vang block in the clevis pin opening.  Folks, TRUST ME ON THIS, after an exhaustive search of tech specs on most brands of clevises these were the ONLY ones I could find to make this Ronstan vang work, but it works great as described.  Much better sail shape & downwind performance.  The only caveat, I have to make sure to push the rolling clevis to either side when lowering the mast, and of course to put it on the lower bail before attaching & raising the mast.  Since I usually trailer-sail this isn't a problem, but you can remove the lower vang block by unscrewing the smaller clevis pin if you leave the mast up.  I hope this helps, and hopefully the pics will answer any lingering questions, just click the link below for my Yahoo! photo album.
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/kjkeough/album?.dir=/3f75&.src=ph&.tok=ph_wVACBWpZu1kvG

[multimedia_smith]

The real problem with installing a vang is how to mount to the mast.
The swivel hinge point has to exactly match that of the boom or it will  loosen, or worse, tighten as the boom swings out from center.
An elegant solution was found when I ordered my BoomKicker support.
The cheaper (light duty) one is the one that is adequate for the 16...
HOWEVER... the bottom bracket from their heavy duty model is a beautifully machined aluminum hinge swivel that mounts into the slot of the mast at the bottom.  They were willing to send one along with  my boom kicker for an additional $27.  It is a really nice piece of hardware and the  hole mount for the boomkicker is just perfect for the lower end of the boom vang.  I installed a bail on the boom itself about 36" back from the gooseneck.  The micro blocks from Harken work great even in a strong wind.  Will include pics sometime soon.... but the geometry on the mount really really works.

[CaptK]

backtalker - I sent you a reply message about the URL's for the pics. Check that, and give it another shot. Looking forward to seeing the pics.

[multimedia_smith]

Hi...
Finally posted a pic of the fitting...

http://www.com-pacowners.com/4images/details.php?image_id=216

works well.

Dale

[idouglas]

Dear Backtalker:

I'm setting up the same rig that you have done for my CP-16 boom vang.  Can you tell me what the throw length and width are on the Seoladair rolling bail (R064-095) to mount around the mast?

Thanks

idouglas

[multimedia_smith]

I'm not sure what exact bail you're looking at, but any will if it's just under two inches wide at the open end... I mounted mine 32" back from the gooseneck with a throughbolt and nylock stainless nut.
Cheers
Dale

[mrb]

Hi captain Ron

I'll try to get that vang on soon.  I had one on my Aquarius 21
and it wasn't to complicated.  Only problem is I am in kind of a black hole of sailing hardware and will probably have to mail order whatever I want. 

Good Sailing

Melvin