SO37 solid boom vang?

[johannes]

We bought a Sun Odyssey 37 this summer and now use winter to plan for upgrades. I am planning to install a Seldén Rodkicker. Does anyone have one on an SO37? From what I can read from the Seldén web site it looks like we should have a Rodkicker 10 with the 1200 N gas strut. It would be nice to have confirmation by someone with experience.

[Deleted]

We have one on our SO37 but it is no Selden and I don’t know the specs. I assume it is from Z-Spar as the rest of the mast. It is a simple spring loaded vang and does its job perfectly.

[david100]

When I purchased my SO37 it had an uninstalled Forespar spring rigid vang.  I have not yet installed it, but would love to hear about how it works for you, it's benefits, etc.  Does it eliminate the need for the topping lift?

[jdl01]

We have the Rodkicker 10 with the 1200 gas strut on our so 379, so given that the rigs are of a similar scale this model should work for you. The selden dealer advised us that the 2200 gas strut would be too stiff for our rig even though the 1200 is a bit wimpy.

[johannes]

Thanks. I will go for the 1200 N gas strut.

More or less all boats I have sailed the past 20 years have had a rigid vang. I would consider it standard. It eliminates the need for a topping lift, although you may have to have another solution to keep the boom from swinging, such as a strop to attach it to the backstay. It also lifts the boom on open angles, so gives better trimming capabilities. But for me the main reason is safety: when sailing with family or unexperienced crew, there is a risk that someone accidentally releases the topping lift when lowering the main.

[zaphod]

Dec 7, 2018 10:21:06 GMT johannes said:

Thanks. I will go for the 1200 N gas strut.

More or less all boats I have sailed the past 20 years have had a rigid vang. I would consider it standard. It eliminates the need for a topping lift, although you may have to have another solution to keep the boom from swinging, such as a strop to attach it to the backstay. It also lifts the boom on open angles, so gives better trimming capabilities. But for me the main reason is safety: when sailing with family or unexperienced crew, there is a risk that someone accidentally releases the topping lift when lowering the main.

My 39i has a Selden vang, and it is very nice. It is strong enough to support the weight of the flaked mainsail, however I also have a topping lift. The topping lift is useful only with the sail furled, because it allows me to cinch up the mainsheet to minimize boom sway. Other than that it is redundant. On my previous boat I used the main halyard for this purpose, but on this boat, if the bimini is up, the end of the boom is difficult to reach. The racer in me cringes at that extra rope flopping around the leech of the sail, and I may still get rid of it once I have sailed the boat a little more...

[jdl01]

Even the vang manufacturers recommend the use of a topping lift or equivalent when the mainsail is lowered and packed away.
I agree the flayalling topping lift is annoying when under sail, but I go for belt and braces when motoring with the sail down or when the boat is moored.