Hi, I would like to jump into this thread as I am building a vang for my DSII restoration project. My current set up is hinged mast and mid-boom sheeting with 4:1 manual ratchet fiddle blocks. I want to keep my stern clear of lines for the grandchildren to easily use my stern mounted swim ladder. I have Dwyer mast, boom and sliding gooseneck (although the gooseneck is kind of mangled and I will be replacing parts). I want to keep the sliding gooseneck so the boom can be used for tent/awning. I do not have or want a mid-boom traveler, again for recreational convenience.
Studying various threads on the forum I am amazed at the amount of information available to a newby like me! A powerful vang seems to be a good solution to control mainsail leech on all points of sail without a traveler, along with outhaul, boom downhaul, cunningham, jib halyard tensioning, and barber haulers sail shaping and positioning controls.
I am planning on tuning my rigging as per North Sails guide. Approximately 25' initial distance from masthead to transom, and then increasing this distance to 25' 1" or 2" by tensioning the forestay putting approximately 150# on each shroud, (approximately 100# on forestay?). I am putting all of this info into the question because each variable seems to impact other variables in not always foreseen ways.
My question is, given this scenario, does anyone have a feel for how much vang purchase my Dwyer gooseneck will take with a reasonable cushion for error? Reading between the lines, it seems that a 20:1 vang will mangle the gooseneck, where as a 4:1 vang will not take the place of a traveler in controlling the leech? Am I off base here? Any insights will be greatly appreciated!!!