When we acquired our O-34, in the 90's, it had a factory rod vang with a gas cylinder return. The gas piston has lost some pressure so I replaced it with a spring return (adjustable) rod vang.Our leech tape has chafed through in a spot and I think it’s from interference by the topping lift, but if I loosen it enough to clear freely my boom lands on my bimini when I drop the main. So it’s a daily thing for me. Right now we have zero purchase and need to push the boom end up manually to get any lift.
If I had realized how useful the rod vang was I would have replaced the topping lift line on our prior boat! It was often getting caught on a batten pocket.
(Evidently the rod vang was optional on the 80's Ericson's, as I do no see many with one.)