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    Welcome to ALYS II's Home Page.

Rigid Boomvang

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When we purchased ALYS II, she still sported the factory 4 part Boom Vang. This Vang was just about useless to say the least. It was so miss-engineered, that the previous owners had just coiled and stowed it's control line.
On our "shake down cruise", I tried to use it but quickly found out why the line was coiled and stowed. With the cam-cleat mounted to the lower fiddle block, there was/is no way to control the line from the cockpit with the Dodger installed.
So it was time to look for a better solution. I first looked at using the existing tackle and just route the line back to the cockpit. If the blocks were in better shape and the cam could of been easily removed, this would have been a cost effective solution.

However, the blocks were crap! I never liked three sheave fiddle blocks. Always thought that they added too much friction. A line pull test, later on proved it.
So at the very least, a new tackle system was in order.

I looked at "soft vangs" from Harkens, Schaefer, Lewmar and Ronstan. All offered better than what I had. And all around the same price range. But wasn't sure if I wanted a "soft vang".

Did an internet search to see what other IP-35 owners had done. Most replaced the "soft vang" with a "rigid vang". I had a "rigid vang" on another boat. Was happy with it but kinda thought it was overkill on ALYS II.
But other folks were pleased with their decision.

So the search for a "rigid vang" began.
Several IP owners that I had talked to, bought their vang from Garhauer Marine. And they had nothing but praise for not only the vang but also the customer service that the Garhauer folks gave them.

One phone call was all it took to convince me too!

Not only were they familiar with IP's but they had done several 35's. All they needed were some basic dimension and they would take it from there.
They suggested their RV20.1 DX vang.
It is constructed out of a 2"OD Stainless Steel tube and has a 20:1 purchase. All of the blocks are their SS blocks. And even comes with ample 3/8" line.

GARHAUER MARINE

To install the "rigid vang", several "Pre- steps" had to be done.

   1) A pad eye had to be mounted n the Starboard side of the mast base, to attach the Garhuaer supplied block and padeye.

I had no idea what was under this location as far as backing plate. So I posed the question on IP HomePort. No one knew for sure, but it was the general consensus that there was not an Aluminum plate. At best, only a build up of fiberglass.

After drilling a test hole, the latter was correct. I drilled down 1" and was still in solid glass.
I thought that if I treaded four holes here for the eyepad, they would be more then adequate to hold the eyepad. But I wanted to make sure.

So I did a pull test.
Got a piece of 3/4" plywood and drilled and tapped a series of 5/16-18 holes. Installed SS screws with pull tabs into the holes. Then hooked up a chain fall with a 500# spring scale to the pull tabs.

Now the fun begins.

In 6 pull tests, the weakest one pulled out at 350#. Three other's pulled out between 400# and 450#. On the last two, the scale was maxed out when the wood gave way.
Now assuming that 1" of fiberglass is stronger in sheer than 3/4" of 5ply plywood, the 4 screws holding the eyepad down, should easily keep it in place.
The math says they should have a holding strength of at least 1600 lbs. Well above the 100+ lbs of pull that I will be exerting on the line

So I drilled, tapped, bedded and installed the eyepad.
Then the block to the eyepad.

This part done.

   2) The next "Pre-step" was preping the boom. Garhuaer supplied a SS boom cradle which the upper end of the vang attaches to. This had to be attached to the boom.

My first thought was to mount the boom cradle using 1/4" SS blind rivets. I even packed the rivets and pull, in my carry on bag. But once I got to the boat, I changed my mind.

Even though I measured and tested several times. I was not confident in the boom cradle's location. So I decided to drill and tap for SS 1/4-20 screws. Thinking that if I messed up some how, I could always remove and relocate the cradle.

But it turned out that I was just being a "Nervous Nelly".
The location was dead on.
Installed the screws using Nickle AntiSieze , and this part was now also done.

   3) The final "Pre-step" work was at the mast.

Garhuaer was not certain which lower vang fitting I had, so they provide a brass plug to go into the original shackle pin hole.
This way I could use and test the vang while they made what I needed. But I had to get some measurement for this to happen.

They made the new fitting and overnighted it to the marina. I received it two days before I left.

Now with all of the prep work done, it was just a matter of installing the Rigid Vang and running the line back to the cockpit.

I'm very, very pleased with this vang. Both operationally and quality. I have not had a single problem with it.


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