Some projects you do because there is an issue that needs to be fixed, this time uncovered an issue prior to it being a major problem.

our boom vang

Boom vang

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A boom vang is a line or piston system on a sailboat used to exert downward force on the boom and thus control the shape of the sail. The vang typically runs from the base of the mast to a point about a third of the way out the boom. 

 

When Lee and I brought the boat down from Maryland we noticed some "oil" on the deck around the boom vang and then the other day during the heavy winds I noticed again.  Thinking the vang was being overworked and leaking I took the vang off and contacted the company that made it, Garhauer.  They said that it was operated by internal springs, no hydraulic cylinder thus no oil leaking, and the springs needed to be replaced.  The "oil" I was seeing is just dirty/greasy water from inside the black tube.

I took apart the vang and sure enough there are indeed springs, well it should have been 3 springs with a rubber gasket at each ends.  The 1st spring was broken in 6 pieces, the 2nd is not broken, and the 3rd is broken into 3 pieces.  Sent pictures back to Garhauer and will wait for the replacement springs to be sent.

3 sets and only 1 set is not broken

New springs compared to old

Doesn't look much different than when I started, but hopefully it won't fail now when needed, and no more dirty water on deck.