Advanced Sailing Lessons : Using the Boom Vang: Advanced Sailing Video Lessons

Learn how to use the boom vang in this free video on sailing tips and instruction.

Expert: Russ Ansley
Bio: Russ Ansley began his sailing career as a member of the University of Texas Sailing Club in Austin, Texas, and has been a yachtsman and instructor for more than 20 years.
Filmmaker: Erik Bosse

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• sailing
• advanced
• lessons
• how
• to
• sail
• boat
• ship
• instructions
• learn
• video
• yachting

[alamcculloch]

a block and tackle system is refered to as a purchase ,its all about torque ,similar to using gears on a bicycle .Hope this is of help to you.

[scubajez]

@Gibz101 No mate. Releasing the vang spills the wind downwind. When sailing normally there's a balance between having the vang on too hard which closes the leach and stops the flow of wind and too soft which let's wind spill ie one of the things you do when overpowered. Why do I waste my time even posting?! Oh and AduesR if this vid helped you after years of sailing it's time to give up.

[Gibz101]

@scubajez I think your confused.If you release it going downwind you are going to create more of a belly in the sail thus making the sail more powerful, not depowering yourself.

On a reach on the other hand, releasing the vang will open up the leach and spill the wind and depower you.

[AdeusR]

i disagree. i have been sailing for years now, since i was a baby, almost every day, and i've learned a lot from these videos. there are things that you really don't notice till someone tell you from outside that it's wrong.

[scubajez]

oh my god, stop wanking and learn how to sail.... purchase, force, who cares... learn about sail shape....

AND when you are overpowered with the kite up whats the FIRST thing you should do???? release the vang - depower the sail........ but not so it flaps wildly in the air - enough to let the sail exhaust...

no offence pal, but these 'learn to sail' videos are ridiculous!!

to learn to sail go to a sailing club and start crewing on a small boat.

[TomerAvanti]

Many thanks to everyone

[Frederf220]

@TRUEBLUEJY15 Purchase is the mechanical advantage a block and tackle arrangement gives. Without enough pulleys you can move an aircraft carrier with your teeth. In the video he implies the ideal amount of purchase built into the vang is such that a "stern tug" gives the right amount of tension. Too weak and the vang can't do it's job without the puller being He Man; too strong and it's too easy to apply too much tension with a light pull.

[Steboborocks]

YES the boom vang controls 'skying' of the boom and a quick tug of the vang can prevent a death roll, HOWEVER the main use of the vang is to controll the leech of the sail and therefore the shape of the sail.

[TroyaE117]

Talk force there folks.

Do not talk power or purchase.

The system is responding to force.

The sailor pulls the line in his right hand with a force of F, and that pulley system multiplies it by about 4.

Don't pull too hard.