Ericson 29 boom vang?

[David Erickson]

My '74 E29 has a hatch just aft of the mast.
I would like to install a vang, but believe the open hatch will interfere with the vang.
Can it be done?

 

[Frank Langer]

On our E30+ we were able to turn the hatch around so it opened up from the back, which made room for the boom vang. No problem!
Frank

 

[Christian Williams]

Not much to it.

http://www.ericsonyachts.org/infoexchange/entry.php?132-Reversing-the-Main-Hatch

On the current boat, the forward-facing Lewmar superhatch will open to the first stop with the rope vang on if it's not tight.

It is easy to unhook the vang shackle in order to open the hatch all the way at anchor or in the slip.

I reversed the hatch on the 32-3 in order to sail to windward with it open without inviting spray in.

But it turned out that that situation did not come up very much, and a forward-facing main hatch is better ventilation when anchored.

FWIW, I don't think I'll reverse the hatch this time, rather just unsnap the vang.

 

[Mark F]

Hi David,

It shouldn't be too hard to spin it around. Here is a photo of my E27 with the hatch hinged to allow for a vang.