Have any of you folks used a boom kicker on your boat? We're tired of the boom (topping) lift hanging on the back of the mainsail. We're also considering just building a rigid (adjustable) boom vang. Any thoughts?
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boomkicker
Jay - I use one on our cat30 works great easy to install and adjust to get the right lift. Good bye topping lift !!
Jay - I use one on our cat30 works great easy to install and adjust to get the right lift. Good bye topping lift !!
Garhauer Rigid Boom Vang
I'd take a serious look at a rigid boom vang. The quality is excellent, 20 to 1 puchase, and it cost only $253 with no shipping. I have been delighted with the application on my Cat 30. Installation is simple. Again, no topping lift for the boom is needed. Sean
I'd take a serious look at a rigid boom vang. The quality is excellent, 20 to 1 puchase, and it cost only $253 with no shipping. I have been delighted with the application on my Cat 30. Installation is simple. Again, no topping lift for the boom is needed. Sean
No Topping Lift Neeeded? Well, Not Really
*box It is true that a topping lift is not absolutely needed when a boom kicker / solid vang is added to your boom. A solid vang will keep the boom from dropping into the cockpit and hitting you on the head when the haliard is released. In addition, a solid vang has sufficient power to shape the leach of the sail by simply pulling on the line. However, it is a mistake to believe that the topping lift can be eliminated entirely. That is because although the vang (both the Garhauer and the Boom-Kicker) provides support for the boom, it can still be compressed beyond the point where you want the boom to be when the sail is down. If you rely entirely on the vang to support the boom, you can't tighten the main sheet sufficiently to prevent the boom from moving quite dramatically from side to side with waves and / or when the skipper leans on it for support. You can create an alternative topping lift / boom support for doused sails only by attaching an appropriate length of line from the backstay (attached just above the point where the backstay splits) and springing it out of the way when not needed by using a bungee cord. Alternatively, you could use the existing topping lift if you attach it to the end of the boom with a quick disconnect (e.g. a carabiner), and spring the topping lift to the back stay when it is not in use. If you install the vang to have "two block" compression (or a physical stop) at the correct angle for the doused sail, you will probably not be able to tighten the vang enough to shape the leach of the sail, as typically, the boom will slightly lower when you are sailing than it is when the sail is furled. I added the Garhauer vang to my C-30T and was very happy with it. I've worked with both the Hall Quick Vang and the Boom-Kicker on slightly smaller boats, and can attest that all three of these devices have the same limitations with respect to still needing a topping lift.
All in all, the solid vang is good, but doesn't eliminate the need for a topping lift.
*box It is true that a topping lift is not absolutely needed when a boom kicker / solid vang is added to your boom. A solid vang will keep the boom from dropping into the cockpit and hitting you on the head when the haliard is released. In addition, a solid vang has sufficient power to shape the leach of the sail by simply pulling on the line. However, it is a mistake to believe that the topping lift can be eliminated entirely. That is because although the vang (both the Garhauer and the Boom-Kicker) provides support for the boom, it can still be compressed beyond the point where you want the boom to be when the sail is down. If you rely entirely on the vang to support the boom, you can't tighten the main sheet sufficiently to prevent the boom from moving quite dramatically from side to side with waves and / or when the skipper leans on it for support. You can create an alternative topping lift / boom support for doused sails only by attaching an appropriate length of line from the backstay (attached just above the point where the backstay splits) and springing it out of the way when not needed by using a bungee cord. Alternatively, you could use the existing topping lift if you attach it to the end of the boom with a quick disconnect (e.g. a carabiner), and spring the topping lift to the back stay when it is not in use. If you install the vang to have "two block" compression (or a physical stop) at the correct angle for the doused sail, you will probably not be able to tighten the vang enough to shape the leach of the sail, as typically, the boom will slightly lower when you are sailing than it is when the sail is furled. I added the Garhauer vang to my C-30T and was very happy with it. I've worked with both the Hall Quick Vang and the Boom-Kicker on slightly smaller boats, and can attest that all three of these devices have the same limitations with respect to still needing a topping lift.
All in all, the solid vang is good, but doesn't eliminate the need for a topping lift.Sean - how was your install ?
I have been thinking about a rigid vang for a while now, but i hate the thought of drilling into both the boom and the mast. How involved was your project, and how did you avoid drilling into wires running down the mast ? Thanks !
I have been thinking about a rigid vang for a while now, but i hate the thought of drilling into both the boom and the mast. How involved was your project, and how did you avoid drilling into wires running down the mast ? Thanks !
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