Different Laser Vangs

sailordude69

New Member
Hi Everyone, I just bought a '86 laser, it's the first one I've owned in probably 15 years. A lot has changed since that time, one of which is the improved sail control lines. I think I have my head around what outhaul and cunningham setup I'm going to go with, but one thing I'm struggling with is the vang. There appears to be a number of different versions, which all come at different price points.

Can some of you speak to the pro's and con's of each vang?

With thanks,
Darren
 
Harken vang (add also the quick release pin), the 'highest price point' but the deserved 'golden' standard.
My humble opinion, old recreational laser sailor
 
There are three options for the vang cleat block: old Allen (the original), new Allen, and Harken. As I have repeatedly said on this forum and elsewhere, there is nothing wrong with the old Allen. It's simple and compact, and its only drawback is the somewhat awkward releasing angle, which takes some practising.

The new Allen (Holt Allen before 2008) is what I have and prefer. It's lower profile and better looking than the Harken, and does all the same things. You probably couldn't tell them apart in a blinded test, and even if you could, it would be a matter of taste which one you preferred. Pepsi vs. Coke. The problem with the new Allen is the lack of availability, as the (I think unfounded) success of the Harken has reduced demand. In fact, I don't know if it's even in production anymore, as fewer and fewer dealers seem to sell it. If you see one, grab it... it's even cheaper!

If it's different complete vang packages that you're comparing, I would go for the lower end of the price range. Marginally fancier blocks and lines won't make your boat any faster or easier to sail, and the price will be a fairly big percentage of a 29-year-old boat's total value anyway.
 
My boat was lucky to come with both the new Allen and the Harken. I did a performance test in 20 knots and 3 ft. chop, and the Harken model felt more responsive and far stronger. The Allen model felt cheaply built and was much harder to pull on. Same condition and line on both. Make sure that you get the Quick Release pin, 1/4 inch for the Harken and 3/16 for the Allen, it makes it far easier to rig and de-rig. The fact that the Harken is so greatly favoured by the top sailors is a testament to the quality of the kicker.
 
The old vang system worked, but you had to get your timing right like releasing it before easing the mainsheet. The new systems are much more forgiving in so far as they can be easily adjusted at anytime. But they all can carry equal purchase, are equally effective (if your timing is right) , should have little difference in friction, etc.

Whilst I've haven't used the Allen Vang's and only seen them a couple of times, I just find them messy and it looks like it's been designed as an afterthought by bolting blocks onto the side. Just on the KISS theorem, I prefer the Harken Vang. I've used the Harken system and it does what it's meant to do with no issues, which is what it's really on about.

As mentioned above, from my observations essentially everyone is using the Harken Vang at major regattas, in 100 boats you might get one that isn't, and they are just as likely to be using the old vang system
 
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