There are many boom vang arrangements on the I-36. The first picture is the very simple, old fashioned block and tackle style on Vanishing Animal. It's 4:1 purchase gives modest power, it acts as both a vang and a preventer, and can be positioned almost directly under the boom on all points of sail. It's disadvantage is that it has to be disconnected before each tack and reconnected afterwards.

There are many variations on the "standard" vang arrangement which involves a combination of a vang and twin preventers with control lines leading back to the cockpit. The first pic shows how Raspberry Tart uses a spring loaded vang and tacks the preventers at the base of the lower shrouds. Her control lines lead through fairleads on the side of the cabin and in through the aft end of the dodger.

The next two pics show how Natural High uses a 4 part tackle for a vang, then led her 4 part preventers out to the rail with the controls running outside the stantions along the rail and then inboard to cam cleats farther aft on the cockpit combing.

Silver Shadow goes for the 4 part vang, then uses a boom brake as a preventer. Her vang control is led back inside the dodger. Note the clean layout of control lines on the cabin top. (You can see them all under the Control Lines heading.)

From Jim Joubert
Mon Ami
September 1999

One area that could be touched upon under boom vangs is the main justification for the rigid vang. i.e. to eliminate the topping lift.

When I got my new full batten main, I found that the roach was so full at the top that the topping lift would hang up on the number one batten on each tack (bummer)! The solution was the rigid vang pictured. It holds the boom up in lieu of the topping lift (which is now history), and holds the boom down when running/reaching.

Still need the old 4 part vang as a preventer though.

You won't hurt my feelings if you elect to leave the above out of your already excellent coverage of vangs. Just thought I'd throw it in for what it might be worth.

Mon Ami's new vang

I36 Mon Ami
Jim Joubert
Mail Jim

Click Pics to enlarge.

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Main Sheet Travelers

Travelers have evolved on these boats too. Once again, the 1973 version is shown on Vanishing Animal. It is a simple 3 part tackle running through cheek blocks on the sides of the deck mounts. The control lines run aft to the cockpit combing to cam cleats. Three part tackle, plus the curved design can be a challenge in the Bay's regular 20+ knot breezes. The track and car are Harken's medium size, installed easily in 1996 on the original curved channel base.

Blockbuster, just sold to Bill Higdon by Past Commodore and race winner Bruce Block, has "leveled the playing field" and even indroduced a slight upward curve so the tension on the main is the same at all points along the traveler. The 4 part control lines give better purchase and also lead aft to the cockpit. Note that neither of these ex-dedicated racers have the windage of a dodger. (Much to the annoyance of the First Mate!)

Also note the mainsheet in the first picture. The second picture shows the forward part of her 6 part mainsheet - one part more than the typical 5 part rig.

Raspberry Tart has the curved traveler base, but refitted with the larger Harken track and a 4 part purchase with less friction.

Compare these with the flat, narrow traveler on the 1982 built Natural High with its 3 part purchase. This traveler is only slightly wider than the main hatch, and means the vang and preventer need to do more of the work sooner as the main is eased.

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Rigging Control Lines

Here's another place to tuck those pesky control lines. Here Silver Shadow maximizes the use of leads, sheet stoppers, winches and cam cleats.

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You thought someone was really going to tell their secrets??!! Send those secrets in!

Ok, Here's one very simple one to prime the pump. Note the numbers on Vanishing Animal's traveler. They are very handy for communicating to the crew how far to move the traveler, and then to duplicate the position on the oposite tack. Playing the traveler and vang are the easiest ways to cope with the Bay's strong breezes. For example, just moving the traveler 2 numbers to leeward can reduce heel and weather helm while increasing speed a tenth or two. Keep the main flat with the vang, but ease it down on the traveler until there is a slight backwind from the jib along the mast. You'll really notice a difference in the ease of steering, better speed, and much happier novices. There is nothing more discouraging to see than a boat with its rail in the water, rounding up in the puffs, and guests wondering if it will ever come back up.