260 Mod: Vang and Boomkicker
The First 260 comes from the factory with a pretty typical vang setup for a boat of her size: a soft 4:1 purchase unit with the control line led back to the cockpit. There are several modification that you can make to give this setup give better sailing handling, make it more convenient, and make life easier on your crew.
The first modification is to add a medium sized block to the boom where the vang was attached. Then run a length of 8mm dynemma from the top of the soft vang through the block and back down to the mast base where the bottom of the soft vang attaches. Size this so you have full range of vertical boom motion. This mod increases the vang purchase to 8:1 and makes it much easier to use as a hand load.
Then think about replacing your old vang cam cleat with a new Harken 150 with an X-Treme angle fairlead as shown in the picture. This lets your crew play the vang from anywhere in the cockpit. If you already have Harken 150s as camcleats, you can add the fairlead easily. The part is at the Harken website HERE.
Finally, a Boomkicker rigid vang is a perfect addition to a boat with an existing soft vang setup. The Boomkicker's GRP rods flex to hold the boom in position, working with and against the soft vang to position the boom.
I used the K800 model on BlueJ. The install kit includes both the screws and the tap to mount the brackets to the mast and boom. The install takes about 30 minutes. Mount the mast end first, and then position the boom end so you get just a slight amount on down tension (flex) on the rod when the boom is level with the waterline. Mount the boom fitting and you are finished.
Beyond helping you shape the sail in lighter airs, the Boomkicker acts as a topping lift, eliminating the hassle of that line as well as removing weight aloft. A great addition to the boat. Boomkicker's web site is HERE.
One last thing vang-wise I want to do; double end the control line, so the vang can be easily used from either rail. But that will have to wait. Too many other things to do!
The first modification is to add a medium sized block to the boom where the vang was attached. Then run a length of 8mm dynemma from the top of the soft vang through the block and back down to the mast base where the bottom of the soft vang attaches. Size this so you have full range of vertical boom motion. This mod increases the vang purchase to 8:1 and makes it much easier to use as a hand load.
Then think about replacing your old vang cam cleat with a new Harken 150 with an X-Treme angle fairlead as shown in the picture. This lets your crew play the vang from anywhere in the cockpit. If you already have Harken 150s as camcleats, you can add the fairlead easily. The part is at the Harken website HERE.
Finally, a Boomkicker rigid vang is a perfect addition to a boat with an existing soft vang setup. The Boomkicker's GRP rods flex to hold the boom in position, working with and against the soft vang to position the boom.
I used the K800 model on BlueJ. The install kit includes both the screws and the tap to mount the brackets to the mast and boom. The install takes about 30 minutes. Mount the mast end first, and then position the boom end so you get just a slight amount on down tension (flex) on the rod when the boom is level with the waterline. Mount the boom fitting and you are finished.
Beyond helping you shape the sail in lighter airs, the Boomkicker acts as a topping lift, eliminating the hassle of that line as well as removing weight aloft. A great addition to the boat. Boomkicker's web site is HERE.
One last thing vang-wise I want to do; double end the control line, so the vang can be easily used from either rail. But that will have to wait. Too many other things to do!
Which block has you used for the vang?
ReplyDelete