Vang, Boom Kicker and Gnav

After the submission of the rule change proposal 21-03 (Knav allowance), some Snipe Sailors are wondering what the rule is currently in force, but even before what is the definition of vang, boom kicker and gnav.

Definitions:

Vang: the vang is a line (or a piston) system that exerts a downward force on the boom to control the shape of the mainsail.

Boom kicker: the boom kicker is a system exerting an upward force.

Gnav: the gnav (the word vang spelt backwards) is an inverted vang. It is a rigid strut that extends obliquely upward from the boom to the mast, exerting a force that pushes down on the boom.

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2020 Class Rule amendment

In 2019 several requests were submitted to the Rules Committee to clarify or explain specific rules.

Some questions only needed a simple explanation to correctly apply the rule, others revealed small bugs or uncovered aspects that require clarification or specification of the original rules.

Some questions only needed a simple explanation to correctly apply the rule, others revealed small bugs or uncovered aspects that require clarification or specification of the original rules.

9 requests for amendments were then submitted to the World Sailing Technical Committee, which finally approved their effectiveness by March 16, 2020.

One of these amendments concerned the rule F.7.2(h)

Below the approved amendment and a brief explanation (from the Rules Committee); new text in red, crossed out deleted text:

F.7 RUNNING RIGGING

F.7.2(h) Boom vang exercising downward force only, providing it is attached to the mast below the gooseneck

The boom vang is an optional rigging. World Sailing doesn’t provide a definition of vang, thus the need to explain the meaning. The literature reports the vang as a system exerting downward force only, either attached below or above the boom. This amendment prevents the use of a gnav or other systems used to lift the boom, which are not vangs, according to the spirit of the original rule.

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The 2021 Rule Change Proposal