I find the Vang useful as a sail shaping control, just another option.
1, In light wind upwind I can centre the traveler and with a bit of vang force the mast rotated with the leech open, Vang sheeting basically.
2, Downwind with my crosscut sails I can set the mast rotation to 90 degrees and hold it there with a fair bit of Vang tension. Cannot gybe with it on, I use a weak bit of rope (4mm) to attach the pulleys to the wire strop which breaks if I try and gybe in high wind with vang on.

I notice boats that use centre sheeting wouldn't need one as the rope coming down from the centre of the boom probably does a similar job.

Doesn't work downwind with my radial cut sail, its already deep enough at the luff of the sail so I dont need to force depth into it by over-rotating the mast and leech is quite "tight" on the Irwin so vang stops it breathing downwind.

I think I will keep having a vang on my boat, I am fitting a new front beam at present, I dislike unnecessary holes in the beam but I think its worth the 4 extra.

Darryn
Bullet
1782