Anybody have a BoomKicker installed ? Opinions please. Its certainly the cheapest but is is the best for this job ? I'm looking for simplicity too.
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I added a Boomkicker to my 35.5 in 1995. It does everything that I want and is low cost. No longer do I have to go to the mast when raising or dropping the main sail. Never had any form of problems with it.
Cheapest?
I think a solid Garhauer vang would be as inexpensive and maybe cheaper. If you have a cutter then I think the RV1-20 for boats to 33' would work(Related Link). What makes the Garhauer a better buy is that it comes complete with fittings customized to your boat. I found a Boomkicker for $220. The Garhauer vang is $250. I am undecided because I use my rope vang frequently as a preventer.
I think a solid Garhauer vang would be as inexpensive and maybe cheaper. If you have a cutter then I think the RV1-20 for boats to 33' would work(Related Link). What makes the Garhauer a better buy is that it comes complete with fittings customized to your boat. I found a Boomkicker for $220. The Garhauer vang is $250. I am undecided because I use my rope vang frequently as a preventer.
I installed a Garhauer solid vang and was amazed at the quality and low price. It allowed me to completely eliminate my topping lift and I can still use my old rope vang as a preventer (and a more effective one because it's connected further toward the boom end)
Mark....
I ordered my Garhauer vang last week, as well as a new MT2 main traveler. In your picture, I notice your main sheet coming down from the boom. Any chance of emailing me (rmcdonald@wi.rr.com) or posting a picture of how you ran your main sheet from the traveler to the boom. I am presuming that you have a cabin top main traveler. I am concerned with loading the boom at only one point about mid-boom (which is the current installation from the previous owner) and planning to add 2 more boom bails to distribute the load. So the sheet will go from the traveler straight up to the boom, back down to the traveler, then back up aft to the boom at an angle (as far back without hitting the dodger), back down to the traveler and then forward to the last boom bail that will be mounted next to the boom vang mount and then down the the deck like yours. Any info on what you did would be appreciated.
Richard S/V Rhapsodie, 79 H37C
I ordered my Garhauer vang last week, as well as a new MT2 main traveler. In your picture, I notice your main sheet coming down from the boom. Any chance of emailing me (rmcdonald@wi.rr.com) or posting a picture of how you ran your main sheet from the traveler to the boom. I am presuming that you have a cabin top main traveler. I am concerned with loading the boom at only one point about mid-boom (which is the current installation from the previous owner) and planning to add 2 more boom bails to distribute the load. So the sheet will go from the traveler straight up to the boom, back down to the traveler, then back up aft to the boom at an angle (as far back without hitting the dodger), back down to the traveler and then forward to the last boom bail that will be mounted next to the boom vang mount and then down the the deck like yours. Any info on what you did would be appreciated.
Richard S/V Rhapsodie, 79 H37CMark, more questions.
Where do you stow your old rope vang? Is it put away or do you keep it handy around the boom? Your mast mount seems higher than need be. Why is it not closer to the deck? Is your angle sufficient to adequately control the boom? One concern that I have had about the solid vang is that our Cherubini booms are close to the deck.
Where do you stow your old rope vang? Is it put away or do you keep it handy around the boom? Your mast mount seems higher than need be. Why is it not closer to the deck? Is your angle sufficient to adequately control the boom? One concern that I have had about the solid vang is that our Cherubini booms are close to the deck.
Boomkicker & Vang
With the Boomkicker, the boom vang is still installed. It is used to pull the boom down. All the Boomkicker does is support the boom instead of a topping lift. You still tighten the mainsail by tighting the vang.
With the Boomkicker, the boom vang is still installed. It is used to pull the boom down. All the Boomkicker does is support the boom instead of a topping lift. You still tighten the mainsail by tighting the vang.
Ed, why so small
Can someone explain why the cutter rig allows us to buy a Garhauer rigid vang built for boat sizes 28-33 ft. Is our sail area that much less? I trust you Ed, and I know your an enigneer, but I don't get it. I thought I was pushing it looking at the 34-36 rigid vangs.
Can someone explain why the cutter rig allows us to buy a Garhauer rigid vang built for boat sizes 28-33 ft. Is our sail area that much less? I trust you Ed, and I know your an enigneer, but I don't get it. I thought I was pushing it looking at the 34-36 rigid vangs.
Just guessing on size.
Our H37C mainsails are relatively small Josh. But that was a guess anyway. I did not reread my original post but I hope that I suggested calling Garhauer for their input. If expense is no object then always go for the bigger size. As small as our rigs are they are not lightweight by any means. And in an e-mail I suggested both a rigid and a rope vang. The rope vang is so convenient as a preventer.
Our H37C mainsails are relatively small Josh. But that was a guess anyway. I did not reread my original post but I hope that I suggested calling Garhauer for their input. If expense is no object then always go for the bigger size. As small as our rigs are they are not lightweight by any means. And in an e-mail I suggested both a rigid and a rope vang. The rope vang is so convenient as a preventer.
Question about rigid vang
I am also interested in a Garhauer rigid vang for my 37-cutter. I checked them out at Strictly Sail in Chicago this past winter and liked what I saw. One question though, does it interfere with my dodger?
I am also interested in a Garhauer rigid vang for my 37-cutter. I checked them out at Strictly Sail in Chicago this past winter and liked what I saw. One question though, does it interfere with my dodger?
Garhauer for me
FWIW, I too ordered a Garhauer rigid vang a week or two ago. The price is attractive as is the vang. I've not received it (no matter, the mast is still laying on the ground) but sure am looking forward to not messing with the topping lift. Jeff
FWIW, I too ordered a Garhauer rigid vang a week or two ago. The price is attractive as is the vang. I've not received it (no matter, the mast is still laying on the ground) but sure am looking forward to not messing with the topping lift. Jeff
dodger?
It should not be any problem. it goes where your vang is now. holds the boom up off the dodger! nice deal!
It should not be any problem. it goes where your vang is now. holds the boom up off the dodger! nice deal!
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