Upgrading to an 8:1 Boom Vang

4:1 Boom Vang.

The boat came with a 4:1 boom vang, which I found wasn't enough mechanical advantage for me, so I upgraded to an 8:1 using a cascade system.  Because I had the cam-cleat end of the vang located at the boom, I needed to create a second attachment point, so I choose a spot aft of the jam-cleat for the first reef point.

The blue line runs to a block at the mast step and then up to the fiddle block on the vang.

The 8:1 boom vang has worked out wonderfully.  I'm able to make small adjustments without a lot of effort.

8:1 cascading boom vang.

Upgrading to Dyneema.    I'd been using New England Ropes Sta-Set double braided polyester rope in the boom vang with good results.  To reduce some of the bulk and stretch of the Sta-Set, I upgraded the vang to Dyneema.  I've been very pleased with the change.  The Dyneema is lighter, and yet stronger even though I'm using a smaller diameter line.  The Dyneema also feels nicer in the hand.

Boom vang upgraded to Dyneema.

I've tried the cam-cleat fiddle block at the boom, and at the mast step.  Both locations have pros and cons.  With the cam-cleat at the boom, things are easier to reach, and you don't have the fiddle block contacting the cabin top when the vang is relaxed, but you do have to worry about the line's bitter end fouling on something.