Harken Yacht Equipment Catalog OnLine

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Reference > Boom Vangs

Boom vangs allow vertical adjustment of the boom. Tensioning the vang tightens the leech of the sail. Cruising sailors use the vang to keep the boom from rising downwind, while racing sailors use the vang as a primary shaping device for the main.

Typical boat length:
Small Boat: 22' - 28' (6.7 - 8.5 m)
Midrange: 29' - 34' (8.8 - 10.4m)
Big Boat: 35' - 42' (10.7 - 12.8m)

Diagram Ref. Description Small Boat Part No. Midrange Part No. Big Boat Part No.

System 1

A Double 226 — —

B Fiddle 245 — —

System 2

A Dinghy vang system 447 — —

B Lower unit 455 — —

C Single 405 — —

D Double 407 — —

System 3

A Fiddle 2655 2621 2621/1559

B Fiddle 2658 2624 2624/1564

System 4

A Single 098/183 300 304/308

B Fiddle 2655 2621 2621/1559

C Fiddle 2658 2624 2624/1564

System 5

A Fiddle 2655 2655/2621 2621/1559

B Fiddle 2658 2658/2624 2624/1564

System 6

A Triple 344/2640 2640/2604 2604

B Double 342/2638 2638/2602 2602

C Single 349/2652 2652/2600 2600

D Cam cleat 241 241/240 240

1. This simple 4:1 self-dealing vang is used on small dinghies.

2. The 15:1 Dinghy Vang uses a 3:1 cascade inside a 5:1 purchase. The cleat pivots side-to-side so it is easy to cleat, even while hiked out. It also angles up and down to accommodate different mounting heights. Suited for dinghies and light daysailers with mains to 115 ft2 (11.6 m2).

3. The basic fiddle block vang is the most common system.

4. A doubling block increases the purchase of the vang to 8:1. The load on the fiddle blocks is halved so they can be used safely on larger boats.

5. Rigid rod vang with a simple 4:1 tackle. The rod also serves as a topping lift for the boom.

6. Most rigid rod vangs include a self-dealing adjuster tackle. Many boats find it useful to re-rig the vang with a double-ended control line led down each side of the boat.

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