Boom vang and Boom kicker

[thaeni]

I have a 1984 27' Hunter. I replaced the original Main with a loose
footed Main this year. The topping lift has been a real pain slapping
against the sail and getting tangled around the back stay. I want to
replace it with a boom kicker but my boat does not have a boom vang.
Will the kicker work with out a boom vang. All the pictures show it with
a vang.
Thanks

 

[sailingdog]

Why not get a Garhauer rigid vang instead??? Probably not much of a price difference, and having a boom vang helps with sail trim.

 

[RobG]

You will need a vang

The Boom Kicker will lift the boom to it's furthest extent, the vang pulls it back down to where you want it. I installed a Boom Kicker three seasons ago and love it. I made the vang myself keeping the cost down.

 

[knowitall]

RobG called it right. You need a vang with a boomkicker.

You will never regret putting a boomkicker on. They are fantastic. Installed them on my last two boats and what a difference in performance.
Boomkickers are available on this site by the way.

 

[BobM]

A cheaper fix is to add a small cleat onto the backstay. Then put a tail of line onto the topping lift (mine is fixed, an slapped just as yours does) and cleat it off there when not in use. My boat has a flag / pennant halyard on the backstay with a block and cleat, and the the cleat is a specific design. This should solve your slapping problem for $10. Regarding the lack of a boom vang, my guess is that yours is just missing. My last boat didn't have one and I had to buy one.

 

[Hermit Scott]

Rob G. What did you make your boom kicker out of? And how did you make it?

 

[Steve Dion]

I would have to agree that the Garhaurer solution is a great piece of equipment. They are about $275 and are custom fitted to your mast & boom.

 

[sailingdog]

BTW, Boom Kicker is a trademarked name for a fiberglass boom support rod that is designed to replace a topping lift. However, because it tends to lift the boom it needs to be used with a vang to keep the main sail shaped properly. Sailing with a boom kicker and no vang is like sailing without easing the topping lift...the sail's leech will be very baggy and the shape will be horrible.

 

[Joe]

do the math....

.... you will need a boom vang. Since you don't have one it is more economical to purchase the Garhauer rigid boom vang than to purchase(or ever build) a 4 part vang and the boomkicker. It will cost at least a 100 dollars for the vang... two fiddle blocks- one with cam cleat- two snap shackles, attachment hardware and of course around 40 feet of 5/16 line.
The boomkicker is 200 bucks....

The garhauer vang for your boat is 275....

But the best benefit is the improvement in your sailing, you will love it.

 

[Hermit Scott]

traveller

I have a traveller midship. I think it kind of acts like a vang. Can I add a kicker with out adding an actual vang?

 

[sailingdog]

Re: traveller

Hermit-

Your sail shape will be lousy on reaches and runs for the most part, since the boom kicker will be forcing the boom up and the leech will twist off.

 

[SamLust]

to Hermit Scott

In a word- NO. As soon as you ease the main sheet your boom will lift up, killing shape. It will also stop you from dropping the traveler in heavier wind to ease the helm. I consider going for the Garhauer solid vang to be excelent advice.

 

[RobG]

Hermit, I asume you meant to ask

about how I made my vang. The Boom Kicker is a purchased product (I purchased from this site). The vang I made with a new length of 1/4" NE Ropes double braid and some Holt ball bearing blocks i grabbed out the closeout bins at Defender (I live a half hour away from them ). There was a triple with becket and a triple with becket and cam, perfect! It was a fun splicing project and the total cost was less than $30 with a good snap shackle on the extension. I made it with an extension to get the cam half way up the vang for easier adjustment and so I could shackle it forward on a stanchion base as a preventer. Boom control with this set-up is so much easier than a topping lift IMHO.
Sorry for the late response.