Boom Kicker on Capri 18

[john6206]

I'm sitting in the boat trying to decipher the installation instructions for the boom kicker, and I have a question.

Wont the bracket at the bottom of the mast make it a super pain in the butt to raise and lower the mast?
There is no clearance at the base of the mast with the mast down. If you add a bracket there, you won't be able to insert the pin.

What am I missing?

 

[Timm R Oday25]

I installed the mast component of the Boomkicker just high enough to clear the mast hinge when I had the mast in lowest position when stepping.
You might have to raise the height of your mast crutch

 

[john6206]

@Timm R Oday25

That’s kind of what I was thinking.
and my quick math tells me that if I cut 4” off of the rods, it will give me some 2.75” more clearance on the base of the mast.

also, if I leave the gooseneck fitting attached to the rods when I trailer, the part left attached to the boom is skinnier.

 

[Timm R Oday25]

I’m not sure I would cut the rods . This might very well take some of the flexibility out . The pins remove fairly easily for raising and lowering the mast . Any chance you could share a few photos ?

 

[john6206]

@Timm R Oday25
the instructions say you can cut up to 8” off the rods without effecting the performance. more important is maintaining the approximate 45° angle. I cut 4” off mine, and I think it should work out pretty well.

I can see several ways that this is going to improve sailing, including making reefing and dropping the sail So much easier (the topping lift on the Capri is a pigtail on the backstay).

when I raised the sail in the driveway (with no wind), there were times the sail seemed way too baggy. We’ll see how it works in action - I might need to adjust things.

Thanks for your help!