C-27 Boom Vang

[deisher6]

Does anyone have a solid vang installed on their '27?

If so how does it work, what brand is it, pictures, did you install it???

Thanks
\\ regards charlie

[Awfeith]

Boom Kicker, about $275 from them on line. Takes about 10 min to install

[Awfeith]

Main sheet set up. I prefer a main sheet with a cam cleat rather than a spin lock. I can control from the helm.

[Tney88]

The main sheet, even with the newer C-27 setup (traveller over the companionway hatch cover) doesn't take the place of a boom vang, at least once your boom swings past the end of the traveller.  If you have the boom out past that point, and you get a gust of wind, you will see the boom bounce upwards and inwards, which changes the shape of your mainsail by allowing slack in the leach.  This in turn moves the center of effort upwards and spills air out of the sail.  The boom vang shown adjacent to the boom kicker prevents this because it is always in line with the boom, regardless of the point of sail.

Terry Ney
CP-27 "Paradiso"

[Craig Weis]

For my CP-19 I used a simple 4 purchase inline Garhauer boom vang purchased at The All sail Boat show at Navy pier many years ago.

The vang is anchored at the base of the mast using a cleat, with a screwed in 1/4 inch rod in the mast slot. ? The cleat also serves as a down haul and there is a sail stop under the boom when there is no sail rigged. And a second sail stop at the top of the slot where the cars slide up into.
At the other end is a cut-down bale riveted to the boom.

I made a miscalculation and placed the bale too far forward up the boom [toward the mast] ? and it takes an uncomfortable reach to work the jam cleat on the vang.

Once the garage becomes warmer than 40 deg. F. I'm drilling the rivets [steel] out and pulling that bale back on the boom ... at least as far as the forward end of the cockpit foot well.

[deisher6]

Thanks Awfeith:
Thanks for the pictures. 

Does the 'boom kicker' provide all the support that your boom needs?
Did you do away with your topping lift?
Is the kicker under constant tension from the vang? 
Do you slack off on the vang when not saiing allowing the kicker to support the boom without being flexed?

I was looking at the Forespar rod boom vangs (very pricey), but I liked the idea of solid support of a strut.

Thanks again

[Awfeith]

Yes, kicker supports the boom, I removed the topping lift. I attach my main halyard to the end of the boom to support the boom when moored. It isn't required as the kicker easily supports it. I had one on my H34 and now the 27. Never had a problem, and they are a great vendor to deal with. I use a Garhauer boom vang run through my former main sheet spin lock. They guarantee the rods for life and will replace if you break one. Installation takes about 15 min.

Andre

[deisher6]

Thanks Andre.....sold!  Defender here I come.
regards charlie

[Craig Weis]

What ever kind of vang used, the boom is played out and played in using a pulley system of some kind.

The factory supplied a side by side gang block that at times twists up and fouls the main sheets.

To elevate that twist a in line block was used. Not a bad modification.

skip.

[Awfeith]

You can go straight to their site and buy. They have a list of boats and the proper size required. Same price as Defender.

Boomkicker
www.boomkicker.com

André

[redfishnc]

Since they list two sizes applicable for 27' boats which size did you go with and what would be the difference?

[deisher6]

Hey redfishnc:

I went with the heavier one, the 1000.  Here is a note from the company: 

HI Charlie,

Got it, we'll ship most likely tomorrow. The 1000 and 800 are exactly the same except for the spring rod diameter. All fitting, fasteners, length etc is the same. If you find the force more then you want you can exchange the rods, if uncut, for the smaller diameter. I think the charge is $15 for shipping and processing.

The standard mast slide is 3/8" diameter. We usually offer 1/2" diameter slides but we're out. If a 1/2" diameter slide would work in the luff groove, then making one maybe 4" long instead of the standard 2 7/8" would be an improvement. We could probably make one up if needed, but it would not be anodized. Screwing direct to the mast might be okay, through bolting would be the best if you can get to the inside of the mast.

Let me know if I can help.

Ted

I am going sailing Wednesday-Saturday to try it out for the first time without the topping lift.  Will post opinions afterwards.

regards charlie

[Craig Weis]

On a CP-19  just a few thoughts ... if using line and pulleys and not a 'stick'.
Anchor the boom vang as close to the deck as possible.
I have a cleat where the horn touches the dog house roof that slips down and inside the mast's 1/4 inch slot using a drilled and tapped rod to screw the cleat to.
And put the boom's bail as far back [toward the stern's end] on the boom as comfortable to reach from within the cockpit.
I placed my boom's bail too far forward and this season will drill out the steel rivets and move that bail about midships over the open companion way hatch.
Not too far astern to interfere when going below.  

skip.

[deisher6]

Got to try out the Boomkicker and vang.

Managed to get a couple of days and 78 nm of sailing in this week.  Had all conditions from 120 jib with full main to just reefed main.  I really like the Boomkicker and vang.  They worked especially well on broad reaches and downwind.  I had never had a vang so I did not appreciate what I was missing. 

I have hung up the boom on the backstay during unplanned jibes.  I will never do so again.

There was no shortage of wind on the Neuse Wed-Fri.  Wound up sailing back to New Bern moving right along at 5-5.5kts with a reefed main on a beam reach.

I would recommend the set up for any C-27.

Only caution:  When the main is down and the boat is rolling.  The boom swings up to a foot each way, for me at eye level, so you have to stay alert.  If the main is going to be down for a while like when motoring or at the dock, I slide the traveler to the port side and run a line to the starboard side of the track to form a triangle which stabilizes the end of the boom. 

(I wonder if this is a problem on the later C-27's with cabin top travelers???)

The original '86 we owned had a short pig tail hanging from the back stay to secure the end of the boom when the main was down.  It did not have a topping lift.

regards charlie

[redfishnc]

thanks Charlie.  I may have to ride up your way and check out the new boomkicker install.