Laser 8:1 Vang
- Thread starter ChrisS
- Start date
Sailorchick
Member
Around the kicker tang on the mast.
Nice one, many thanks!! 
Have u used this system/ Is it effective?
Sailorchick
Member
I used to use similar many years ago, now have the harken kicker. The system works fine as long as the cleat works well (mine used to fail at the most annoying moments!)
torrid
Just sailing
If you can afford it, the new vang is the single best upgrade you can make. However if you are on a budget, the setup in your picture is 1000% better than the old "stupid Laser rope tricks" vang setup.
49208
Tentmaker
I agree this is an improvement, but I think you'll find you want more puchase in the system when sailing in 15 knots or more... It's easy enough to increase it to 12-1 or 15-1 with a couple more bullet blocks mounting on the bottom V cleat, and a double or triple block in place of the upper single bullet... The diagrams should be on the same web page where you found the one above (as well as in some old threads here)
Kaiser
Member
I know this is a bit off topic... but I keep seeing people refer to the boom vang as a 'kicker' - which I've never heard before coming here.
My understanding is that a boom kicker is a hydraulic ram used to forcibly LIFT the boom (the opposite of a vang... used in place of a topping lift) on larger sailboats.
What gives?
My understanding is that a boom kicker is a hydraulic ram used to forcibly LIFT the boom (the opposite of a vang... used in place of a topping lift) on larger sailboats.
What gives?
bjmoose
Member
Outside the US the thing we call a "Vang" is commonly referred to as a "Kicker."
My first post...at the end of my first year sailing lasers...
I did the same 8:1 upgrade and it made a huge difference, hoping that Christmas will get me the pro..
But my problem is that I can't free line from the jam cleat. I've pulled my shoulder out tring to ease the line, particularly after rounding the windward mark and the boom is out which rotates the block (and cleat) 90 degrees away from me as I'm pulling on the line.
Any suggestions?
I did the same 8:1 upgrade and it made a huge difference, hoping that Christmas will get me the pro..
But my problem is that I can't free line from the jam cleat. I've pulled my shoulder out tring to ease the line, particularly after rounding the windward mark and the boom is out which rotates the block (and cleat) 90 degrees away from me as I'm pulling on the line.
Any suggestions?
LQT420
Member
Use a vang swivel. It attaches at the vang tang to the vang block with the cleat. When you pull on the line when the boom is out, the vang will rotate toward you making it easier to uncleat the line.
http://www.apsltd.com/Tree/d285000/e283132.asp
http://www.apsltd.com/Tree/d285000/e283132.asp
Sailorchick
Member
Also you should be easing the kicker before you bear away round the mark, not after.