Boomkicker

[Gerry Bogert]

I am thinking of installing a boomkicker and would like to hear opinions for and against. It should make raising and lowering the sail easier without having to deal with the topping lift. Is there any disadvantage to performance, are they prone to failure?Thanks for any advice. Gerry BogertTwo Drifters

 

[Larry Long]

Boomkicker, YES

I installed a boomkicker on my 280 this past spring. Actually, I had sort of forgotten about it. I guess that is the way it should be; install it and forget it. My boom stays up. The vang still works. The sail is easier to raise. The battens don't hit the topping lift because there is no topping lift to hit. I like it.

 

[Steve O.]

me too...

I've been researching this because I'm thinking of adding one. All I can tell you is that nobody I talked to who installed one regretted it.

 

[Dean Strong]

Check out Garhauer

Check out the Garhauer rigid vang. Cost is not much more than Boomkicker. The block system is probably much better than your existing vang which you will still need with the Boomkicker, and by leading the line back to the cockpit, you can adjust sail shape easily, even in higher winds.Installed mine this spring on an H30, and love it. No need for a topping lift, though I left mine on because of a Dutchman system---also, can still be used to really stablize boom when not sailing.

 

[Alan Claunch]

I agree

I second the opinion of Larry Long. I installed a Boomkicker about 5 years ago and have never regretted it. Boom stays up, sails well, no problems.Alan