I've always only used a boom vang, but I'm putting a 17' daysailer back together and wondering - if a boom kicker will act as a vang and a topping lift - why bother with a boom vang?
Boom kicker, boom vang or both?
- Thread starter bburke
- Start date
Yes, you definitely need both.
The Boomkicker is useful for two things: 1) Keeps the boom from falling into the cockpit when you douse the main 2) Supports the boom in light airs when the weight of the boom would normally pull the leech too tight, right when you want a more open leech for more twist.
As the wind comes up, you need less twist in the main, so a tighter leech, and that's when the vang is needed to pull the boom down against the lifting force of the Boomkicker.
Remember that if you get the smallest Boomkicker, that has a webbing cradle to hold the boom, if you push down on it too far, the Boomkicker flexes and pops out from under the boom. Very startling when it happens, especially if you happened to be leaning on the boom a bit too much, and you're suddenly WAY off balance... Don't ask me how I know
The Boomkicker is useful for two things: 1) Keeps the boom from falling into the cockpit when you douse the main 2) Supports the boom in light airs when the weight of the boom would normally pull the leech too tight, right when you want a more open leech for more twist.
As the wind comes up, you need less twist in the main, so a tighter leech, and that's when the vang is needed to pull the boom down against the lifting force of the Boomkicker.
Remember that if you get the smallest Boomkicker, that has a webbing cradle to hold the boom, if you push down on it too far, the Boomkicker flexes and pops out from under the boom. Very startling when it happens, especially if you happened to be leaning on the boom a bit too much, and you're suddenly WAY off balance... Don't ask me how I know