Boom Vang Solid vs Line

[vsergio]

Is there any advantage of having a solid boom vang vs soft? Why the SO35 has is soft and for example SF35 is solid?

[dbostrom]

No topping lift needed, hence one less thing to snag on the mail when raising, tacking etc. Anything that makes more roach possible must be good, right?

Shamelessly copied from here (where there is an outcome story of a dropped boom):

1. It is much easier to hoist and drop the sail, one step being removed from the process.
2. The skipper doesn’t have to worry whether a crew member is going to drop the topper instead of the main halyard.
3. Reefing is easier, as the boom goes up to meet the leech reef point.
4. There is less chafe on the leech.
5. Peace of mind that the boom will stay up if the halyard breaks.
6. But best of all, shape is maintained in light weather, as the weight of the boom does not drag the leech down.
7. For short handed sailing, greater control of every aspect of main handling results, especially when reefing with in-mast, in-boom systems or a traditional slab. This applies whether or not the sail is fitted with lazy jacks.
8. When reefing single handed, time at the mast is considerably reduced.
9. As there is no topping lift, the spare masthead sheave can be used for a spare main halyard, or a light mouse line for future halyard installation.

[sitara]

I sail with a soft vang, and have never had a hard one. My topping lift is cleated off at the mast and length adjusted so it does not flap around too much with the sail up and will hold the boom where I want it when the sail is down. The only drawback that I see is sail shape in light winds, but as I am only cruising it does not matter.

[Don Reaves]

I have read that a number of manufacturers of hard vangs have suggested that you should have a topping lift anyway to take the load off the vang when the boat is at dock.

[dbostrom]

The older we become, the more often the answer is, "it depends." 

[petermc]

I have a gas strut hard vang on my SF37, works brilliantly. We have no topping lift on it but do use the main halyard to support the boom and vang when not sailing.

[jdl01]

Light air main shape - twist - control is the principal performance benefit. Other stuff is mostly convenience related. Most builders recommend that the boom & main be otherwise supported when the boat is not in use.

[andreshs1]

HI there

I need to replace the gas strut on my new 1995 SO45.1, does anyone know what should be the resting inclination of the boom? 90°? Or higher?

Cheers 

[jdl01]

I have already replaced one gas cylinder on the selden rod kicker vang on our 379. Since then I have always raised my boom above 90 degrees when the boat is not in use. Taking some of the compression pressure off the vang seems to help keep the vang strength up and the replacement has now lasted twice as long as the original.

[andreshs1]

Hi

Ok, thanks
It makes sense, I need to get the topping lift working

Cheers