Boom vang or mainsheet traveler?

[Barquito]

If I get around to it this winter I wanted to start adding some equipment to my very basic Bristol 27. Right now I do not have a boom vang or a mainsheet traveler. If I had to choose, which one do you think I should add first?

[mitiempo]

Vang.

The mainsheet traveler will keep the boom down only while it is over the traveler. The vang lets you pull the boom down wherever the boom is.

[JimsCAL]

I agree. Go with a vang. It will allow much better control of the main when off the wind and can be used as a preventer for the main when going wing-and-wing. The traveler will allow you to better control shape of the main when going upwind, but is not as essential as the vang.

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by JimsCAL

I agree. Go with a vang. It will allow much better control of the main when off the wind and can be used as a preventer for the main when going wing-and-wing. The traveler will allow you to better control shape of the main when going upwind, but is not as essential as the vang.

I would agree. On a forced choice between vang and traveler, go with the traveler.

BUT

Do not use a vang as a preventer. Neither your toe rail or boom is deisnged for these forces. Set up a proper one from the boom end to the foredeck (outside the shrouds) and back to the cockpit.

[tdw]

have to be the vang for mine. I'm onto my first boat with a seriously adjustable traveller (plus seriously adjustable headsail track to boot) and I'm loving it but in order of preference get a vang first.

[padean]

I would lean to a traveler. While the vang will help you maintain proper sail shape on a run, the combination of the mainsheet and traveler will also help you maintain good shape out to a beam reach on this boat, and give you much better control over the shape of the main on a close reach of close haul, where the vang would be of limited use on those points without a traveler to position the boom correctly. Therefore, if forced to choose on this boat, I would start with a traveler.

But.... The traveler will be much more work to install....

[mitiempo]

Padean

With the vang holding the boom down as far as desired the mainsheet will allow the boom to be wherever you wish it to be. A vang will allow you to maintain proper sail shape on a run or a beat. When the mainsheet is let out the boom can't go up if the vang is keeping it down.

[MarkSF]

I recently added a Garhauer boomvang to my Bristol. It's a solid one so it keeps the boom up. I like it a lot. Avoids a lot of messing with the topping lift (which has been deleted.)

Next project would be to bring the line back to the cockpit.

They are pretty well priced considering the quality and engineering that go into them.

[AdamLein]

Since we're on the topic of rigging boom vangs and running the line to the cockpit, I'm wondering: does the cleat have to be at the cockpit, or can I use one of those fiddle-block-mounted cam cleats like the mainsheet has?

[mitiempo]

It could be anywhere you want to lead it to. Most often on the cabintop with halyards and reefing lines. I would use a more solid attachment like a rope clutch
if it is a solid vang.

Look at the lines piled at the foot of the mast on Mark's boat above. By leading the lines aft through clutches and to a winch you get to keep that mess in the cockpit instead.