Optimize Your Vang | International Sailing Academy

This Laser Rigging video addresses how to rig your vang in the most efficient way, and how to mark it so that you can set it correctly at any time on the racecourse.
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[@sdcofer52]

At around 9:05 in the video, when you two-block the mainsheet, the traveller is far too loose. It might be helpful to demonstrate the relationship and the importance of having the traveller snugged up. Maybe you get to this in the later part of the video.

[@cameronpierce9426]

Very helpful video, thanks. I'm all for more of these kinds of videos for optimal Laser tuning & racing--other questions including when, and in what sequence, do you alter your controls & centreboard settings when rounding the windward mark, the leeward mark, &c; how much vang do you have on before you start thinking about adding cunningham; is always more efficient to use de-powering controls rather than spilling some wind on the beat, &c. Thanks!

[@matters5]

You guys always sail in the best locations. Great video. My vang is never smooth when I'm sailing - this helps thanks.

[@Palundrium]

Excellent systems, thanks SO much.

[@internationalsailingacademy]

Thank you for watching and we hope to see you in Mexico!

[@stevenlarratt3638]

The music is annoying, otherwise a good vid

[@internationalsailingacademy]

Here you go Steven - kzbin.info/www/bejne/gYTQY2ucocibZtk

[@robbie.robertson]

Excellent video, thanks. On the second Zang, I think you said FSE control line, but I'm not sure. Could you please confirm and also what diameter the line is?

[@bartvdbrink1989]

We got all of our Harken Laser vangs with FSE Dinghy Control line 4mm at our shop. P.s. Thumbs up for ISA for this video it's great. Kind regards, Bart (Sailcenter, the Netherlands)

[@duncanvanderheul5903]

Great video, thank you so much. Looking forward to part II. When will you release part II?

[@davis2284]

Couple of questions. When he set the tape for the block to block setting the traveller was fairly loose. Is that right? Also, I always thought that block to block was the highest setting. But then he had de-power one and two. Is that right?

[@internationalsailingacademy]

Get the traveler as tight as you can before setting it. Yes you'll have 2 or 3 settings tighter than block to block for depowering in stronger wind!

[@cameronpierce9426]

As an aside: it's a little hard to tell on the videos--but do you rig the cunningham to split the boom on either side, or do you rig it all on one side? I've gotten into the habit of rigging it all on the starboard side, so that I can release it first (before outhaul) at the weather mark, but also so that I can theoretically yarn it down to the boom or lower--but I don't know if this much cunninghma is recommended or needed by high-level racers? Thanks as always,

[@internationalsailingacademy]

You'll want to use as much cunningham as needed to keep your boat flat and on angle. Pros use a lot if needed! Usually more than most might think.

[@estelr.8616]

Do you know a book that explains the things like you have explain? I would like to learn more! :) Thank you! Nice video!

[@antontadeus6878]

Estel R. It’s a bit late now, but maybe there are others needing this. There is a good book about all of these basics from Paul Goodison called Laser Handbook. Explains pretty much everything about how to rig and sail a laser

[@estelr.8616]

@@antontadeus6878 Thank hoy very much! It is not late! 😊

[@internationalsailingacademy]

@@estelr.8616 Hi Estel, we also have an online course now. Did you see it? learn.internationalsailingacademy.com

[@eck0hcobra15]

@@antontadeus6878 thanks aswell!

[@jovelinaminervina7275]

Parabéns Deus te abençoe hoje e sempre amém

[@internationalsailingacademy]

Obrigado e o mesmo para você.

[@Simirial]

The music is distracting. Great video / info

[@internationalsailingacademy]

Here you go Rustin - kzbin.info/www/bejne/gYTQY2ucocibZtk

[@Simirial]

Thank you s

[@twigoftheforest]

Hi I read on a forum they were talking about releasing the vang to depower the sail because it creates twist. In your video you have depower 1 and 2 marked with the red tape. There was a storm brewing on my way back to dock with heavy winds today. I had the outhaul pulled in all the way in, so it was flat. I pulled the cunningham all the way down. But the boom vang wasn't released, although it wasn't pulled all the way either. The problem I had was the wind was heeling over the boat even with generous letting out of the mainsheet. Would it have been a good idea to release the vang in that situation creating more twist or pulling down to the depower 1/2 setting?

[@internationalsailingacademy]

Hi Twig, Assuming you are going upwind back to the dock, I get the sense you're referring more to "survival" than racing here. If you let the vang off, your sail will look extremely full with a ton of drag, it may be easier to sail in with it luffing a lot because the boom will be higher off the water which also makes tacking easier. It won't be "pretty" in a technical sense or ideal/fast in a racing application. Once you establish the skills to be able to hike well and sheet effectively, you should be able to depower the sail easily by vang sheeting with max vang on which keeps a nice aerodynamic shape and allows you to depower really quickly and with a little sheet drop. You're on the right track with max Cunningham to help induce twist there and a flattish (but not bone tight) outhaul. Check out our online courses to learn more details on all these subjects: learn.internationalsailingacademy.com

[@shaun8023]

When setting length of kicker to max esse what is measurement from end of boom to clue.

[@cg3536]

In terms of outhaul depth, set it for max ease upwind. Approx. 8" between the old outhaul cleat on the boom and the sail with a bit of wind pressure in it. You can push the sail out with your hand to get an idea if there is no wind during setup.

[@internationalsailingacademy]

👍

[@AndreaOngPietkiewicz]

Do these settings apply to Radial?

[@internationalsailingacademy]

Yes!

[@mattjackson6005]

Is there a similar method of 4.7?

[@internationalsailingacademy]

Yes you can follow these steps for the 4.7 as well. Thanks for watching!

[@sirgeorgeboy]

Thanks for the help great video, shame about the crappy sound over drove me crazy will stop me from watching any other videos with the same annoying sounds .

[@cg3536]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gYTQY2ucocibZtk

[@internationalsailingacademy]

😁Thank you sirgeorgeboy we appreciate the comment and we apologize that the music was not to your liking. We are always working hard to improve and with your feedback we can do just that. If you have not yet seen the new clinic calendar, you may like the new signature clinics we have available this winter! Check it out--> internationalsailingacademy.com/clinic-dates/

[@lydkarhma]

What diameter line would you advise for the wandpg control. 3mm?

[@internationalsailingacademy]

3mm Dyneema for the primary and 4mm control line. Thanks for watching!

[@al.sargent]

The music is so bad it's funny. But otherwise, this is a super helpful video. Thanks ISA!

[@internationalsailingacademy]

Thanks Al, if you need to watch it again you can watch it with captions on mute or watch the version wo/ music here: @ch0w

[@al.sargent]

@@internationalsailingacademy No worries... the video with its music is now a classic in the canon of Laser sailing!

[@bobsmo]

Who makes the frictionless control line? Where to buy?

[@internationalsailingacademy]

FSE is the one shown. What region are you in Bob?

[@bobsmo]

@@internationalsailingacademy hi I am in San Francisco

[@internationalsailingacademy]

@@bobsmo Hi Bob, you could order all this gear from West Coast Sailing. FSE is the company that makes the control line in the video and it is still commonly used today with top sailors.

[@internationalsailingacademy]

@@bobsmo West Coast Sailing will be a good option for you

[@cameronpierce9426]

Just a couple of follow-up questions, if I may: 1) I'm accustomed to setting the vang as shown here on the beat in light air (the slack just taken out when (close to) block-to-block), despite the fact that I'm clearly not overpowered in light air. The reason that I've always been taught for this is that vang helps the Laser to point higher. Is this true, and if so, why? In that case, does more vang help to point even higher?? 2) On the topic of lines, specifically what size and type of line/rope do you recommend for your mainsheet, outhaul, cunningham, and vang, respectively? Many thanks,

[@internationalsailingacademy]

1) It's just to keep some shape so the rig can match the luff curve if you ease it. A straight mast is not a good thing because the sail is not designed for that - so we enjoy the benefits of an eased sheet and some bend in the mast when the vang is block to block. It helps speed and pointing - it's a more efficient shape.

[@Eduardo-xx4zo]

Eduardo Sampaio

[@internationalsailingacademy]

Thanks for watching!

[@cannopa]

Thanks for the video, there's some good information, but I have to agree with others the music is annoying, unnecessary and doesn't help those who are hard of hearing.

[@internationalsailingacademy]

Hi Peter, thanks for your comment. We agree, it's annoying. We'll try to make another video when we have time. In the meantime, you can watch the video on mute and use the closed captioned settings to enjoy silent subtitles.

[@internationalsailingacademy]

We now have a music free version available for you Peter

[@garthmerkeley6123]

Music is distracting and not needed.

[@internationalsailingacademy]

Hi Garth - Thanks for the comment. We have a version without music here, or some people use captions and turn the volume off. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gYTQY2ucocibZtk for the music-free version. Also full online courses on all aspects of ILCA sailing are available at learn.internationalsailingacademy.com

[@lydkarhma]

Just saying but the music is overpowering your voices.

[@internationalsailingacademy]

Thank you for letting us know. We are working on that on all videos and appreciate your help and support. Please let us know if there is anything you may need and thanks for watching!

[@gastonlagaffe4476]

Terrible music

[@internationalsailingacademy]

Here you go Gaston! kzbin.info/www/bejne/gYTQY2ucocibZtk

[@mactully322]

Dump the rubbish music we might hear you are saying

[@internationalsailingacademy]

Hi Mac, you can watch it without music by googling "optimizing your laser vang no music". Also feel free to use the captioning feature anytime to mute the video and read the captions