Eric,
I inherited a rigid boom vang from the PO. It was a good thing when the
only other support for the boom was the harbor lift (short wire from the
mizzen mast with a snap shackle to clip into the main boom end plate).
There have been many times when I couldn’t or forgot to attach the harbor
lift before putting in a reef or dropping the main sail. Without the rigid
boom vang the boom would have dropped onto the Dodger as soon as I released
the halyard.

I subsequently added an adjustable topping lift (also backup main halyard)
and the rigid boom vang has become less useful. I will keep the rigid vang
as a backup to the topping lift for as long as it is operational, then I
will likely replaced it with a standard rope vang.

If I were starting out without both a topping lift and a rigid vang, my
priority would be the topping lift. However, I went to internal halyards to
get my topping lift. A rigid vang is a lot easier to implement.

On the other hand if my goal was to be able to raise and reef and drop the
main sail from the cockpit, I would definitely go with the rigid boom vang
(no need run a topping lift line to the

On Sun, Jan 16, 2011 at 11:22 AM, S V Navasana <> wrote:

I am mulling over adding a rigid vang to Navasana. Currently she has a line
vang.
Just wounding if this is a worthwhile upgrade. Am sure there is at least an
opinion or two out there.

Eric Lorentzon
S V Navasana.
_______________________________________________
maillist mailing list

https://pearson424.org/mailman/listinfo/maillist_pearson424.org

—
Regards,
John Stevenson
http://www.svsarah.com
_______________________________________________
maillist mailing list

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Post generated from Pearson424 Forum using Mail2Forum

“On the other hand if my goal was to be able to raise and reef and drop the
main sail from the cockpit, I would definitely go with the rigid boom vang
(no need run a topping lift line to the cockpit).”

End of this sentence somehow got chopped.

On Sun, Jan 16, 2011 at 12:16 PM, John Stevenson
<>wrote:

Eric,
I inherited a rigid boom vang from the PO. It was a good thing when the
only other support for the boom was the harbor lift (short wire from the
mizzen mast with a snap shackle to clip into the main boom end plate).
There have been many times when I couldn’t or forgot to attach the harbor
lift before putting in a reef or dropping the main sail. Without the rigid
boom vang the boom would have dropped onto the Dodger as soon as I released
the halyard.

I subsequently added an adjustable topping lift (also backup main halyard)
and the rigid boom vang has become less useful. I will keep the rigid vang
as a backup to the topping lift for as long as it is operational, then I
will likely replaced it with a standard rope vang.

If I were starting out without both a topping lift and a rigid vang, my
priority would be the topping lift. However, I went to internal halyards to
get my topping lift. A rigid vang is a lot easier to implement.

On the other hand if my goal was to be able to raise and reef and drop the
main sail from the cockpit, I would definitely go with the rigid boom vang
(no need run a topping lift line to the

On Sun, Jan 16, 2011 at 11:22 AM, S V Navasana <> wrote:

I am mulling over adding a rigid vang to Navasana. Currently she has a
line vang.
Just wounding if this is a worthwhile upgrade. Am sure there is at least
an opinion or two out there.

Eric Lorentzon
S V Navasana.
_______________________________________________
maillist mailing list

https://pearson424.org/mailman/listinfo/maillist_pearson424.org

—
Regards,
John Stevenson
http://www.svsarah.com

—
Regards,
John Stevenson
http://www.svsarah.com
_______________________________________________
maillist mailing list

https://pearson424.org/mailman/listinfo/maillist_pearson424.org

Post generated from Pearson424 Forum using Mail2Forum

I would really like a rigid bang so there’s less crap at the top of the
mast. I almost never use the boom hitch because it means the boom shades the
solar panel. So the rigid bang would be a help.

No matter what, though, rotate the hatch underneath 180 degrees so you can
open it.

Bob

I’m not being terse. This is from my mobile.
On Jan 16, 2011 12:19 PM, “John Stevenson” <> wrote:

“On the other hand if my goal was to be able to raise and reef and drop

the

main sail from the cockpit, I would definitely go with the rigid boom vang
(no need run a topping lift line to the cockpit).”

End of this sentence somehow got chopped.

On Sun, Jan 16, 2011 at 12:16 PM, John Stevenson
<>wrote:

Eric,
I inherited a rigid boom vang from the PO. It was a good thing when the
only other support for the boom was the harbor lift (short wire from the
mizzen mast with a snap shackle to clip into the main boom end plate).
There have been many times when I couldn’t or forgot to attach the harbor
lift before putting in a reef or dropping the main sail. Without the

rigid

boom vang the boom would have dropped onto the Dodger as soon as I

released

the halyard.

I subsequently added an adjustable topping lift (also backup main

halyard)

and the rigid boom vang has become less useful. I will keep the rigid

vang

as a backup to the topping lift for as long as it is operational, then I
will likely replaced it with a standard rope vang.

If I were starting out without both a topping lift and a rigid vang, my
priority would be the topping lift. However, I went to internal halyards

to

get my topping lift. A rigid vang is a lot easier to implement.

On the other hand if my goal was to be able to raise and reef and drop

the

main sail from the cockpit, I would definitely go with the rigid boom

vang

(no need run a topping lift line to the

On Sun, Jan 16, 2011 at 11:22 AM, S V Navasana <>

wrote:

I am mulling over adding a rigid vang to Navasana. Currently she has a
line vang.
Just wounding if this is a worthwhile upgrade. Am sure there is at least
an opinion or two out there.

Eric Lorentzon
S V Navasana.
_______________________________________________
maillist mailing list

https://pearson424.org/mailman/listinfo/maillist_pearson424.org

—
Regards,
John Stevenson
http://www.svsarah.com

—
Regards,
John Stevenson
http://www.svsarah.com
_______________________________________________
maillist mailing list

https://pearson424.org/mailman/listinfo/maillist_pearson424.org

_______________________________________________
maillist mailing list

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Post generated from Pearson424 Forum using Mail2Forum

Bob wrote, “No matter what, though, rotate the hatch underneath 180 degrees
so you can
open it.”

Bob, I thought this hatch was originally installed with the opening aft. I
think that is what your are recommending. Possibly your PO turned it around
to get more air below when at anchor. I have a friend who has reversed this
hatch on all boats he has owned (none Pearson). I think he took the vang
off his current boat.

Of course it might have been my PO who turned the hatch around.

On Sun, Jan 16, 2011 at 12:47 PM, Robert Fine <> wrote:

I would really like a rigid bang so there’s less crap at the top of the
mast. I almost never use the boom hitch because it means the boom shades
the
solar panel. So the rigid bang would be a help.

No matter what, though, rotate the hatch underneath 180 degrees so you can
open it.

Bob

I’m not being terse. This is from my mobile.
On Jan 16, 2011 12:19 PM, “John Stevenson” <>
wrote:

“On the other hand if my goal was to be able to raise and reef and drop

the

main sail from the cockpit, I would definitely go with the rigid boom

vang

(no need run a topping lift line to the cockpit).”

End of this sentence somehow got chopped.

On Sun, Jan 16, 2011 at 12:16 PM, John Stevenson
<>wrote:

Eric,
I inherited a rigid boom vang from the PO. It was a good thing when the
only other support for the boom was the harbor lift (short wire from the
mizzen mast with a snap shackle to clip into the main boom end plate).
There have been many times when I couldn’t or forgot to attach the

harbor

lift before putting in a reef or dropping the main sail. Without the

rigid

boom vang the boom would have dropped onto the Dodger as soon as I

released

the halyard.

I subsequently added an adjustable topping lift (also backup main

halyard)

and the rigid boom vang has become less useful. I will keep the rigid

vang

as a backup to the topping lift for as long as it is operational, then I
will likely replaced it with a standard rope vang.

If I were starting out without both a topping lift and a rigid vang, my
priority would be the topping lift. However, I went to internal halyards

to

get my topping lift. A rigid vang is a lot easier to implement.

On the other hand if my goal was to be able to raise and reef and drop

the

main sail from the cockpit, I would definitely go with the rigid boom

vang

(no need run a topping lift line to the

On Sun, Jan 16, 2011 at 11:22 AM, S V Navasana <>

wrote:

I am mulling over adding a rigid vang to Navasana. Currently she has a
line vang.
Just wounding if this is a worthwhile upgrade. Am sure there is at

least

an opinion or two out there.

Eric Lorentzon
S V Navasana.
_______________________________________________
maillist mailing list

https://pearson424.org/mailman/listinfo/maillist_pearson424.org

—
Regards,
John Stevenson
http://www.svsarah.com

—
Regards,
John Stevenson
http://www.svsarah.com
_______________________________________________
maillist mailing list

https://pearson424.org/mailman/listinfo/maillist_pearson424.org

_______________________________________________
maillist mailing list

https://pearson424.org/mailman/listinfo/maillist_pearson424.org

—
Regards,
John Stevenson
http://www.svsarah.com
_______________________________________________
maillist mailing list

https://pearson424.org/mailman/listinfo/maillist_pearson424.org

Post generated from Pearson424 Forum using Mail2Forum

Hi John,

It was your po who rotated the hatch. Check the brochure. I’ve rotated
them inn every vessel I’ve owned, too.

The nice thing about them facing aft, besides not interfering with the vang
is breeze in a slip, and you can keep it open slightly even when crashing
along without taking on seawater all the time.

Also, at anchor, provides a ‘suction’ enhancing flow through the boat.

Recommended for everyone.

Bob

I’m not being terse. This is from my mobile.
On Jan 16, 2011 1:05 PM, “John Stevenson” <> wrote:

Bob wrote, “No matter what, though, rotate the hatch underneath 180

degrees

so you can
open it.”

Bob, I thought this hatch was originally installed with the opening aft. I
think that is what your are recommending. Possibly your PO turned it

around

to get more air below when at anchor. I have a friend who has reversed

this

hatch on all boats he has owned (none Pearson). I think he took the vang
off his current boat.

Of course it might have been my PO who turned the hatch around.

On Sun, Jan 16, 2011 at 12:47 PM, Robert Fine <> wrote:

I would really like a rigid bang so there’s less crap at the top of the
mast. I almost never use the boom hitch because it means the boom shades
the
solar panel. So the rigid bang would be a help.

No matter what, though, rotate the hatch underneath 180 degrees so you

can

open it.

Bob

I’m not being terse. This is from my mobile.
On Jan 16, 2011 12:19 PM, “John Stevenson” <>
wrote:

“On the other hand if my goal was to be able to raise and reef and drop

the

main sail from the cockpit, I would definitely go with the rigid boom

vang

(no need run a topping lift line to the cockpit).”

End of this sentence somehow got chopped.

On Sun, Jan 16, 2011 at 12:16 PM, John Stevenson
<>wrote:

Eric,
I inherited a rigid boom vang from the PO. It was a good thing when

the

only other support for the boom was the harbor lift (short wire from

the

mizzen mast with a snap shackle to clip into the main boom end plate).
There have been many times when I couldn’t or forgot to attach the

harbor

lift before putting in a reef or dropping the main sail. Without the

rigid

boom vang the boom would have dropped onto the Dodger as soon as I

released

the halyard.

I subsequently added an adjustable topping lift (also backup main

halyard)

and the rigid boom vang has become less useful. I will keep the rigid

vang

as a backup to the topping lift for as long as it is operational, then

I

will likely replaced it with a standard rope vang.

If I were starting out without both a topping lift and a rigid vang,

my

priority would be the topping lift. However, I went to internal

halyards

to

get my topping lift. A rigid vang is a lot easier to implement.

On the other hand if my goal was to be able to raise and reef and drop

the

main sail from the cockpit, I would definitely go with the rigid boom

vang

(no need run a topping lift line to the

On Sun, Jan 16, 2011 at 11:22 AM, S V Navasana <>

wrote:

I am mulling over adding a rigid vang to Navasana. Currently she has

a

line vang.
Just wounding if this is a worthwhile upgrade. Am sure there is at

least

an opinion or two out there.

Eric Lorentzon
S V Navasana.
_______________________________________________
maillist mailing list

https://pearson424.org/mailman/listinfo/maillist_pearson424.org

—
Regards,
John Stevenson
http://www.svsarah.com

—
Regards,
John Stevenson
http://www.svsarah.com
_______________________________________________
maillist mailing list

https://pearson424.org/mailman/listinfo/maillist_pearson424.org

_______________________________________________
maillist mailing list

https://pearson424.org/mailman/listinfo/maillist_pearson424.org

—
Regards,
John Stevenson
http://www.svsarah.com
_______________________________________________
maillist mailing list

https://pearson424.org/mailman/listinfo/maillist_pearson424.org

_______________________________________________
maillist mailing list

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Post generated from Pearson424 Forum using Mail2Forum

Eric,
I have no experience with the Dutchman system, but I suspect your sailmaker
doesn’t want to implement on a new sail because it is a patented system and
he would have to get a license to include it in a sail. I’ve heard that
there is some chafe between the sail and the Dutchman lines, but again I’ve
no personal experience.

There may be other uses for the rigid vang than supporting the boom during
reefing and dropping, but I’m not aware of them.

On Sun, Jan 16, 2011 at 2:06 PM, S V Navasana <> wrote:

Topping lift is not an issue po had installed Dutchman so the lift line is
integral to that.
However – when I replace my mainsail my sailmaker is advising against the
Dutchman system. But it sure is handy.
Aside from supporting the boom are there other advantages to rigid for the
cruising sailor?

Eric Lorentzon
EFI Sales Development Manager
412.352.1941
Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 16, 2011, at 10:04 AM, John Stevenson <>
wrote:

Bob wrote, “No matter what, though, rotate the hatch underneath 180

degrees

so you can
open it.”

Bob, I thought this hatch was originally installed with the opening aft.

I

think that is what your are recommending. Possibly your PO turned it

around

to get more air below when at anchor. I have a friend who has reversed

this

hatch on all boats he has owned (none Pearson). I think he took the vang
off his current boat.

Of course it might have been my PO who turned the hatch around.

On Sun, Jan 16, 2011 at 12:47 PM, Robert Fine <> wrote:

I would really like a rigid bang so there’s less crap at the top of the
mast. I almost never use the boom hitch because it means the boom shades
the
solar panel. So the rigid bang would be a help.

No matter what, though, rotate the hatch underneath 180 degrees so you

can

open it.

Bob

I’m not being terse. This is from my mobile.
On Jan 16, 2011 12:19 PM, “John Stevenson” <>
wrote:

“On the other hand if my goal was to be able to raise and reef and drop

the

main sail from the cockpit, I would definitely go with the rigid boom

vang

(no need run a topping lift line to the cockpit).”

End of this sentence somehow got chopped.

On Sun, Jan 16, 2011 at 12:16 PM, John Stevenson
<>wrote:

Eric,
I inherited a rigid boom vang from the PO. It was a good thing when

the

only other support for the boom was the harbor lift (short wire from

the

mizzen mast with a snap shackle to clip into the main boom end plate).
There have been many times when I couldn’t or forgot to attach the

harbor

lift before putting in a reef or dropping the main sail. Without the

rigid

boom vang the boom would have dropped onto the Dodger as soon as I

released

the halyard.

I subsequently added an adjustable topping lift (also backup main

halyard)

and the rigid boom vang has become less useful. I will keep the rigid

vang

as a backup to the topping lift for as long as it is operational, then

I

will likely replaced it with a standard rope vang.

If I were starting out without both a topping lift and a rigid vang,

my

priority would be the topping lift. However, I went to internal

halyards

to

get my topping lift. A rigid vang is a lot easier to implement.

On the other hand if my goal was to be able to raise and reef and drop

the

main sail from the cockpit, I would definitely go with the rigid boom

vang

(no need run a topping lift line to the

On Sun, Jan 16, 2011 at 11:22 AM, S V Navasana <>

wrote:

I am mulling over adding a rigid vang to Navasana. Currently she has

a

line vang.
Just wounding if this is a worthwhile upgrade. Am sure there is at

least

an opinion or two out there.

Eric Lorentzon
S V Navasana.
_______________________________________________
maillist mailing list

https://pearson424.org/mailman/listinfo/maillist_pearson424.org

—
Regards,
John Stevenson
http://www.svsarah.com

—
Regards,
John Stevenson
http://www.svsarah.com
_______________________________________________
maillist mailing list

https://pearson424.org/mailman/listinfo/maillist_pearson424.org

_______________________________________________
maillist mailing list

https://pearson424.org/mailman/listinfo/maillist_pearson424.org

—
Regards,
John Stevenson
http://www.svsarah.com
_______________________________________________
maillist mailing list

https://pearson424.org/mailman/listinfo/maillist_pearson424.org

_______________________________________________
maillist mailing list

https://pearson424.org/mailman/listinfo/maillist_pearson424.org

—
Regards,
John Stevenson
http://www.svsarah.com
_______________________________________________
maillist mailing list

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Post generated from Pearson424 Forum using Mail2Forum

You can use the vang as an isometric resistance device for strengthening
your stomach.

I’m not being terse. This is from my mobile.
On Jan 16, 2011 2:07 PM, “S V Navasana” <> wrote:

Topping lift is not an issue po had installed Dutchman so the lift line is

integral to that.

However – when I replace my mainsail my sailmaker is advising against the

Dutchman system. But it sure is handy.

Aside from supporting the boom are there other advantages to rigid for the

cruising sailor?

Eric Lorentzon
EFI Sales Development Manager
412.352.1941
Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 16, 2011, at 10:04 AM, John Stevenson <>

wrote:

Bob wrote, “No matter what, though, rotate the hatch underneath 180

degrees

so you can
open it.”

Bob, I thought this hatch was originally installed with the opening aft.

I

think that is what your are recommending. Possibly your PO turned it

around

to get more air below when at anchor. I have a friend who has reversed

this

hatch on all boats he has owned (none Pearson). I think he took the vang
off his current boat.

Of course it might have been my PO who turned the hatch around.

On Sun, Jan 16, 2011 at 12:47 PM, Robert Fine <> wrote:

I would really like a rigid bang so there’s less crap at the top of the
mast. I almost never use the boom hitch because it means the boom shades
the
solar panel. So the rigid bang would be a help.

No matter what, though, rotate the hatch underneath 180 degrees so you

can

open it.

Bob

I’m not being terse. This is from my mobile.
On Jan 16, 2011 12:19 PM, “John Stevenson” <>
wrote:

“On the other hand if my goal was to be able to raise and reef and drop

the

main sail from the cockpit, I would definitely go with the rigid boom

vang

(no need run a topping lift line to the cockpit).”

End of this sentence somehow got chopped.

On Sun, Jan 16, 2011 at 12:16 PM, John Stevenson
<>wrote:

Eric,
I inherited a rigid boom vang from the PO. It was a good thing when

the

only other support for the boom was the harbor lift (short wire from

the

mizzen mast with a snap shackle to clip into the main boom end plate).
There have been many times when I couldn’t or forgot to attach the

harbor

lift before putting in a reef or dropping the main sail. Without the

rigid

boom vang the boom would have dropped onto the Dodger as soon as I

released

the halyard.

I subsequently added an adjustable topping lift (also backup main

halyard)

and the rigid boom vang has become less useful. I will keep the rigid

vang

as a backup to the topping lift for as long as it is operational, then

I

will likely replaced it with a standard rope vang.

If I were starting out without both a topping lift and a rigid vang,

my

priority would be the topping lift. However, I went to internal

halyards

to

get my topping lift. A rigid vang is a lot easier to implement.

On the other hand if my goal was to be able to raise and reef and drop

the

main sail from the cockpit, I would definitely go with the rigid boom

vang

(no need run a topping lift line to the

On Sun, Jan 16, 2011 at 11:22 AM, S V Navasana <>

wrote:

I am mulling over adding a rigid vang to Navasana. Currently she has

a

line vang.
Just wounding if this is a worthwhile upgrade. Am sure there is at

least

an opinion or two out there.

Eric Lorentzon
S V Navasana.
_______________________________________________
maillist mailing list

https://pearson424.org/mailman/listinfo/maillist_pearson424.org

—
Regards,
John Stevenson
http://www.svsarah.com

—
Regards,
John Stevenson
http://www.svsarah.com
_______________________________________________
maillist mailing list

https://pearson424.org/mailman/listinfo/maillist_pearson424.org

_______________________________________________
maillist mailing list

https://pearson424.org/mailman/listinfo/maillist_pearson424.org

—
Regards,
John Stevenson
http://www.svsarah.com
_______________________________________________
maillist mailing list

https://pearson424.org/mailman/listinfo/maillist_pearson424.org

_______________________________________________
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_______________________________________________
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Post generated from Pearson424 Forum using Mail2Forum

What I meant to say was that you can use the rigid boom vang for isometric
exercises. Bad joke.

With the topping lift, if you have a solar panel on the dodger, you can just
move the traveler to one side, tie the boom… Oh, wait, not everyone has a
handle I’m the side of the dodge.

Well, you probably should.

Bob

I’m not being terse. This is from my mobile.
On Jan 17, 2011 7:33 AM, “Silverheels” <> wrote:

John,

You wrote, “I went to internal halyards to get my topping lift. A rigid

vang

is a lot easier to implement.”

I’m sure you know (but maybe some don’t realize) that you don’t need to

run

a topping lift all the way down the mast, internally or otherwise, in

order

to have it adjustable. Another common arrangement, which I have on both my
main and mizzen booms, is a 2/3-length wire topping lift from the masthead
with an eye thimble at its lower end through which a block is shackled. A
length of line with one end attached to the boom end runs up through the
block, back down to the boom end, through a cheek block and forward along
the boom to a cleat. You adjust the topping lift with the line, from the
mid-boom cleat position. I believe this is easier (and certainly less
expensive) to implement than a rigid vang.

I use Silverheels’ “harbor lift” (neat term, I’d never heard it before) to
minimize the main boom’s wobble at anchor. A boom crutch would be better

for

that, but I don’t have one set up yet. One of these days I’ll mount a

short,