hydraulic vang trim help

[DennisDW]

Hi Friends,
I'm trying to figure out this new-to-me navtec vang. I'm used to a tackle to the rail system and then only off the wind. Loads on the boom were low and the need to vang down was fairly easy to read. The traveler was and integral part of sail trim.

Now, I can adjust the boom position for any point of sail as I like it. My difficulty with the hydraulic vang is not sail trim but rather use of the mainsheet and traveler. Sunday I was blasting along to weather in a Florida cold front on Tampa bay and had the main sheeted in tight. I just happened to glance along the boom notice I had it bent down by the sheet pulling against the vang. I pumped it down until the boom was straight. That seems like an odd way to trim.

How should I use this vang. It's cool and very helpful but should I just leave the release valve open for going to weather?
Thanks,
Dennis

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by DennisDW

Hi Friends,
I'm trying to figure out this new-to-me navtec vang. I'm used to a tackle to the rail system and then only off the wind. Loads on the boom were low and the need to vang down was fairly easy to read. The traveler was and integral part of sail trim.

Now, I can adjust the boom position for any point of sail as I like it. My difficulty with the hydraulic vang is not sail trim but rather use of the mainsheet and traveler. Sunday I was blasting along to weather in a Florida cold front on Tampa bay and had the main sheeted in tight. I just happened to glance along the boom notice I had it bent down by the sheet pulling against the vang. I pumped it down until the boom was straight. That seems like an odd way to trim.

How should I use this vang. It's cool and very helpful but should I just leave the release valve open for going to weather?
Thanks,
Dennis

In reality a hydraulic vang duplicates the mainsheet in terms of downward force when hard on the wind. To avoid ending up with incorrect opposing tensions , I would do as you suggest

Dave

[stacy]

Agree with both of you. On a maintenance note, it is very helpful to remember to release the pressure of the vang when you put the boat away.

[Gerrycooper56]

As a matter of interest how long is the boom?

[delmarrey]

A question:

Is your vang on it's own pump?

Or is it in combination with other cylinders via a selector switch?

[charly]

Is the mainsail conventional or in mast furling type?
The hydraulic boom is blocked up- and downwards once you have set the boom vang ?