J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Forum The Boat, Sails and Equipment Solid vang

What's the best solid vang, in terms of price/performance, for a J30. I see Hall Spar, Forespar, and Spinlock as the most common manufacturers, but prices and features vary. Any info on best model number will be helpful.

Paul, check out the existing thread at:
http://www.sailthebay.com/ubb/Forum10/HTML/000047.html

The topic has been covered in depth before.

[This message has been edited by Alan Grim (edited 02-11-2002).]

Thanks for the reply Alan. That was Oct 2000. I was wondering if any new or improved solid vang products, with specific make/model #'s, have emerged in the past year and half since that post.

Paul, we installed a "Boomkicker" last season on Ricochet and found it to be simple and effective. It uses the existing boom vang, but eliminates the boom topping lift and allows you to lift the boom in light air to get more draft in the main. We noted that this solid vang (others may also) puts additional stress at the boom gooseneck fitting and may require some reinforcement or at least more loctite on the screws there. Hope this helps, Bob Cox

Ditto on the Boomkicker - we have had ours for 2 seasons and like it a lot.

John in Halifax