[Rhodes22-list] Boom Vang, UPS, Whisker Pole

[Robert Skinner]

Lee -

I use a boom vang, but do not have a pop top.
They might not play well together.

The UPS is interesting, but a second jib
hanked onto a Solent (removable inner stay)
provides a pretty good push for me, and is
also used to deploy a storm jib when required
(not often).

I use a whisker pole for a lot of things and
recommend having one or two aboard, with the
appropriate rigging in place on the mast.
Great for light winds.

/Robert
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Leland wrote:
> I'm a lazy sailor and can't decide if it's worth getting a boom vang, utility
> power sail (UPS), and whisker pole.
> 
> I've pretty much decided against a boom vang.  I typically sail standing
> with the poptop up and will occasionally pull down on the boom, acting as my
> own boom vang.  It definitely makes a difference in sail shape and speed,
> but it's my understanding that the few Rhodes that have vangs can only use
> them when the boom is lowered, and must connect/disconnect them each use. 
> For those of you who have boom vangs, can they only be used when the boom is
> lowered, and how often do you use them?  Is it something that a lazy sailor
> would think valuable?  To put things in perspective, I rarely use my
> traveler or adjust my Genoa car position, but wouldn't want to live without
> them.
> 
> I'm a daysailor and spend most of my time sailing on a close/beam reach.  I
> go out with the wind and sail back to the marina with the wind.  If the wind
> is less than 5 knots and I need to sail on a broad reach or run to get back
> to my marina, I'd just as soon motor back.  Mary Lou and others have me
> thinking that a UPS may be is worth the effort.  Rummy and others have me
> thinking that a whisker pole may be worth the effort.  Do you think the
> juice is worth the squeeze for a lazy sailor?
> 
> The political posts have been interesting, but I thought we might be ready
> for something about sailing.
> 
> Lee
> 1986 Rhodes22  At Ease
> Kent Island, MD