Boom Kicker vs. Rigid Vang

[philwsailz]

The title pretty much sums it up.

I see that SBO's store has boom kickers on sale at a HOT price, but for those who have had experience with either or both, would you prefere a rigid vang like is sold by Garhaur, or would you prefer a traditional vang in conjunction with a Boom Kicker?

Why?

Curious, that is all. I should add, I intend to do away with my topping lift eventually, but the SBO sale price has me considering one or the other as a possible Christmas wish list item.


Let your opinions fly!!!

 

[Joe]

Garhauer Rigid Vang........ the only reason to purchase a boomkicker is the misguided belief that you're saving money. The combined price of a soft vang and a boomkicker is close to the price of the Garhauer rigid vang. Remove the existing soft vang and use it for other things, like MOB retreival, an OB motor lift, boom preventor, backup mainsheet, etc.

Install the rigid vang, disable the topping lift (I just wrapped mine around the backstay) and use the main halyard clipped to the boom end with a tensioned vang to stabilize the boom when your sail is down and the boat is anchored or docked.

 

[Lost Parent]

I have a catalina 30 with vang , could i use a soft boomkicker?

 

[Joe]

I have a catalina 30 with vang , could i use a soft boomkicker?

Go for it. It's your money..... let us know how it works out for you.

 

[FourPoints]

They both do the same job at the end of the day, but I question how many years the fiberglass spring will last in a boomkicker before it starts to degrade from the UV.

 

[Jackdaw]

Just the opposite actually.

Its coated in epoxy.

I've owned several boats with both types, and I have spent more on rigid vang rebuilds than I have on all the boomkickers I've ever bought.

Both work great. Both have their ideal applications.

They both do the same job at the end of the day, but I question how many years the fiberglass spring will last in a boomkicker before it starts to degrade from the UV.

 

[philwsailz]

Well, we got a little bit in the way of discussion...

I see the to options as similar or same. Both eliminate the topping lift, and both need to be vanged to prevent boom lift.

To me the rigid vang seems the more elegant solution. Any comments on my perception? Is my opinion on target or off slightly.

It probably will come down to personal taste, but still curious

 

[FourPoints]

Well, we got a little in the way of discussion.

I see the to options as similar or same. Both eliminate the topping lift, and both need to be vanged to prevent boom lift.

To me the rigid vang seems the more elegant solution. Any comments on my perception?

I went with the rigid vang personally for the same reason, but either solution will serve the same purpose.

As to rigid vang rebuilds, I suspect that was hydraulic vangs, the simpler spring loaded ones have nothing to rebuild or fail.