Add a boom-kicker, need a vang?

[melliott0352]

Have an 82 Catalina 30, thinking of adding a Boom kicker to eliminate the topping lift and add some upward lift to the boom. Question is, do I need to add a boom vang also, as the main sheet provides the same downward pull (4:1) from the traveler to the boom. Wouldn't that be redundant?

 

[Jackdaw]

Yes you need one.

On the wind you are correct, the downward sheet tension vangs the main. But as soon as you bear off and sheet off, the boom goes up (as well as out) and twists off the main. Just like a boat without a kicker, the soft vang prevents that.

It also allows you to vang sheet when the breeze comes up and you run out of traveler.

 

[Don Guillette]

Take a look at the Garhauer rigid vang. That would eliminate the need for the topping lift and you wouldn't need a boom kicker either.

 

[Joe]

If you don't have a vang....... the boomkicker won't work as designed... which is to augment the soft vang. Since you'll have to shell out another $150 for a soft vang, you'd be better of going with the Garhauer Rigid Vang.
This new aluminum model is only $375...fits boats up to 32ft.