Boom Vang Systems

The vang allows vertical adjustment of the boom, and is an extremely important tool to shape the main for speed. Tension the vang to tighten the leech, flatten the sail and bend the mast. Cruisers use the vang to keep the boom from rising when sailing downwind and abraiding the main.

Typical boat length:
Small Boat: 22' - 28' (6.7 - 8.5 m)
Midrange: 29' - 34' (8.8 - 10.4 m)
Big Boat: 35' - 42' (10.7 - 12.8 m)

4:1 V-jam

This simple 4:1 self-cleating vang is used on small dinghies.

DiagramRef.	Description	Small Boat Part No.	Midrange Part No.	Big Boat Part No.
A	Double	226	—	—
B	Fiddle	245	—	—

4:1 Fiddle

The basic 4:1 fiddle block vang is commonly used on dinghies and small keelboats.

DiagramRef.	Description	Small Boat Part No.	Midrange Part No.	Big Boat Part No.
A	Double	2655	2621	1559
B	Fiddle	2658	2624	1564

8:1 Cascaded Fiddle

A doubling block increases the purchase of the vang to 8:1. The load on the fiddle blocks is halved so they can be used safely on larger boats.

DiagramRef.	Description	Small Boat Part No.	Midrange Part No.	Big Boat Part No.
A	Single	300	304	308
B	Fiddle	2655	2621	1559
C	Fiddle	2658	2624	1564

4:1 Cascaded Kicker

This rigid rod vang utilizes a simple 4:1 tackle. The rod also serves as a topping lift for the boom. Used on cruising and racing boats.

DiagramRef.	Description	Small Boat Part No.	Midrange Part No.	Big Boat Part No.
A	Double	2655	2621	1559
B	Fiddle	2658	2624	1564

6:1 Double-ended Cascaded Kicker

Many racers rig the vang with a double-ended control line led down each side of the boat.

DiagramRef.	Description	Small Boat Part No.	Midrange Part No.	Big Boat Part No.
A	Triple	344	2640	2604
B	Double	342	2638	2602
C	Single	349	2652	2600
D	Cam cleat	241	240	240