New owner on Chesapeake Bay

[Gray Shannahan]

Hello! I recently purchased #121 and will be sailing regularly in the Annapolis area in PHRF races as To The Moon. Specifically the Wednesday night series on the Severn River. I hope to make it to some one design races in a few years once my kids get a little older... and my leash gets a little longer .

My boat came with a carbon fiber mast however there is no vang assembly. My local rigger suggested the Harken Vang Master. Has anyone installed this? Is it worth the money? Class legal? It seems that the boat is very sensitive to Vang trimming since there is no backstay. https://www.harken.com/en/shop/vang-master/vang-master-1/

I was also considering a 8:1 setup with a doubling block on a wire. Would this be sufficient? It would save me $1,200 \



Any other vang set ups I should be considering?

Also, my jib furler line snapped during my first race (i was single handed and it built to 15+... yes i'm crazy and was flying the chute and no it wasn't a pretty douse). Does anyone happen to have the length? Any line recommendations?

Last question... my PHRF rating was dinged 3 points because of the carbon mast. Should I fight this?

Very grateful to this forum. I've already connected with some of you and learned a lot already!

[Mark Allen]

Hello Gray and welcome.
  Vang is key on this boat and can be a powerful tool to switch gears and keep the boat on it's feet and under control. I personally run a 6:1 block attached to Vectran line making it a 12:1. I have seen some run up a 32:1 but that is overkill and could break a mast. The 12:1 is the stock setup from the factory. Upper block is a double with fid and the lower block is a triple. The line runs to a swivel cleat on the deck just behind the mast. Many boats use a boomkicker to hold the mast up but it is not necessary. I don't think you should shell out for the vang master.

Mark Allen
#26 JUNTA

[Mark Allen]

Here is a good blurry picture of the stock setup.

[Gray Shannahan]

Thanks for the advice and the picture. I appreciate it!