Boom Vang ?

[Rick Harvey]

I would like to install a Boom Kicker to my 37C. Has anyone had experience with this design? After looking at so many different types (and price tags)I concidered fabricating one myself. Any comments , advise.Rick.

 

[Dave Simpson]

Kicker?

You will find your performance is much better off the wind if your main doesn't curl up into a potato chip.The least expensive way I know is to rig a "Handy-Billy" from the base of the mast to a point about 1/4 to 1/5 the length of the boom. Mine is a four-purchase tackle with the tail led to the cabin top through a clutch to the winch. Works like a charm, and with a snap shackle at the end, the rig can be moved from the base of the mast to the toerail, where it can be used as a preventer!

 

[Gregory Stebbins]

It's all comming back...

Handy Billys and preventers!! Gad I'm starting to feel like a kid again on my dad's old Skipjack.

 

[Ed Schenck]

Want a Vang too!

Ordered a Garhauer from SailNet for my H37C. It'll be worth it just to keep the topping lift from clanging on the backstay! Didn't consider running it back to the cockpit. How many of you have lines running to the cockpit? Which ones?

 

[Rick Harvey]

Kicker

I currently use a Boom Vang on my main but the "BoomKicker" is constructed of 2 rods (fiberglass or carbon fiber possibly)that set the height of the boom by apply tension on the Vang. A very simple idea that requires no springs or leaky pistons. The question is " why not have a solid Vang that you would set to minimum boom height ( so the boom doesn't land on somebody's head while reefing) and set vang to maximum lift required. What do you think?

 

[Rick Harvey]

Re: Ed Schenck

My 37C is almost original ( except the stunning new Dark Blue Awlgrip). Other than the halyards all my lines lead back to the cockpit. I sail as much as possible so I end up sailing solo to often. So I try to make things simple and reliable. Rick

 

[Ed Schenck]

Money no object?

That would be my first choice. Maybe next year after the new main, new prop, and A/C are paid for. I've seen the "kicker" in the SailNet ads but the "solids" are not that much more. I once gave my H37C dimensions to Garhauer and the assured me their solid vang would work very well. I was afaid the boom height might be too small(low).

 

[Carl]

running backs

I use my blocks from the running backstays as both preventer and vang when off the wind