I am interested in any comments, experiences or evaluations about the "Boom kicker" as a replacement for the conventional topping lift. thanks Tony G
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boomkicker and/or rigid vang
I'm looking into things similarly, no vang on my boat or topping lift, it's been rx to me to install a rigid vang which does both, the rx ones are especially garhauer. Check out at link below.
I'm looking into things similarly, no vang on my boat or topping lift, it's been rx to me to install a rigid vang which does both, the rx ones are especially garhauer. Check out at link below.
The Boomkicker does the job, but
Tony, I put a Boomkicker (1000 model) on my CS 27 last summer and it does a good job. Its made raising and lowering the main a pleasure. The product works as advertised. I do think it is a bit overpriced, but it is the cheapest way to add rigid boom support. Now the but. Depending on your situation I'd go along with the recommendation to also look at the Garhauer. The cost of a new soft vang and Boomkicker is more than a Garhauer. When I bought my boat it didn't have a boom vang nor proper topping lift. I added a boom vang right away and struggled with the lack of a topping lift for 2 years. So when I looked at rigid vangs I already had a perfectly good soft vang. It was also late June (I have the usual good excuses as to why this was left so late)and I was quoted 1 month delivery for a Garhauer vs. a couple of days to ship a Boomkicker, and that didn't include the time to send Garhauer the template for the mast and boom contours. So I wnet the Boomkicker route. Keep in mind that measuring for the Boomkicker isn't that critcal since you are cutting the glass rods on site to fit and the boom and mast fittings are a one size fits all type of approach. So its cheaper and less effort measuring and planing. Kevin
Tony, I put a Boomkicker (1000 model) on my CS 27 last summer and it does a good job. Its made raising and lowering the main a pleasure. The product works as advertised. I do think it is a bit overpriced, but it is the cheapest way to add rigid boom support. Now the but. Depending on your situation I'd go along with the recommendation to also look at the Garhauer. The cost of a new soft vang and Boomkicker is more than a Garhauer. When I bought my boat it didn't have a boom vang nor proper topping lift. I added a boom vang right away and struggled with the lack of a topping lift for 2 years. So when I looked at rigid vangs I already had a perfectly good soft vang. It was also late June (I have the usual good excuses as to why this was left so late)and I was quoted 1 month delivery for a Garhauer vs. a couple of days to ship a Boomkicker, and that didn't include the time to send Garhauer the template for the mast and boom contours. So I wnet the Boomkicker route. Keep in mind that measuring for the Boomkicker isn't that critcal since you are cutting the glass rods on site to fit and the boom and mast fittings are a one size fits all type of approach. So its cheaper and less effort measuring and planing. Kevin
I vote Garhauer
I've had both and the Garhauer rigid vang is superior to the boomkicker. About the same price.
I've had both and the Garhauer rigid vang is superior to the boomkicker. About the same price.
No contest
If you are starting from scratch (no soft vang), the Garhauer is the best way to spend your money. I replaced my soft vang and topping lift with one and have been very satisfied. It is a very high quality piece and well worth the wait. Also makes it easy to take the boom's weight off the mainsail in real light air and let it shape out better.
If you are starting from scratch (no soft vang), the Garhauer is the best way to spend your money. I replaced my soft vang and topping lift with one and have been very satisfied. It is a very high quality piece and well worth the wait. Also makes it easy to take the boom's weight off the mainsail in real light air and let it shape out better.
Rigid Vangs *!
Tony I have a friend with a C34 who had the same issue as Kevin, so he went with a boom kicker, too. Bob's approach is right on. And even if you have a soft vang, unless it's brand new, you should consider the Garhauer, fantastic piece of equipment. *box This is just another personal request for you folks to identify, at the very least, the SIZE of boat you have. I put C34 in my sign up. It's there all the time I post something. It's not hard to do. It seems incongruous, many times, to answer questions about these kinds of things, when maybe he's got a C22. Just ranting, bear with me.
Thanks, Stu
Tony I have a friend with a C34 who had the same issue as Kevin, so he went with a boom kicker, too. Bob's approach is right on. And even if you have a soft vang, unless it's brand new, you should consider the Garhauer, fantastic piece of equipment. *box This is just another personal request for you folks to identify, at the very least, the SIZE of boat you have. I put C34 in my sign up. It's there all the time I post something. It's not hard to do. It seems incongruous, many times, to answer questions about these kinds of things, when maybe he's got a C22. Just ranting, bear with me.
Thanks, StuGarhauer sales channels?
Seems like a lot of sailors are buying Garhauer gear. When I bought a traveler and some blocks from them this winter I dealt direct with Garhauer over the phone. As far as I know they don't sell through any retailers here in the Toronto area. How about in the USA, does Garhauer sell through marine retailers? Kevin
Seems like a lot of sailors are buying Garhauer gear. When I bought a traveler and some blocks from them this winter I dealt direct with Garhauer over the phone. As far as I know they don't sell through any retailers here in the Toronto area. How about in the USA, does Garhauer sell through marine retailers? Kevin
No
why should they bother? They keep the prices low, no middleman, and the quality is superb. Stu
why should they bother? They keep the prices low, no middleman, and the quality is superb. Stu
According to a re-seller friend of mine...
He stocks Garhauer stuff strictly as a convenience to his customers. Garhauer leave very little (if any) profit for re-sellers. More often than not, he only makes his cost plus his shipping charges; basically the same price you would pay if you ordered direct. Cheers, Bob
He stocks Garhauer stuff strictly as a convenience to his customers. Garhauer leave very little (if any) profit for re-sellers. More often than not, he only makes his cost plus his shipping charges; basically the same price you would pay if you ordered direct. Cheers, Bob
Garhaurer
I thought I was being original when I suggested Garhauer as a Chandlery product to Phil. He has tried before. I went in person. They confirmed to me they have all they can handle in OEM and direct retail. Additionally, their production facility was at max, altho they tell me they have added a couple of thousand SF recently. Classic case of being too busy to make more money. Great outfit, tho. Rick D.
I thought I was being original when I suggested Garhauer as a Chandlery product to Phil. He has tried before. I went in person. They confirmed to me they have all they can handle in OEM and direct retail. Additionally, their production facility was at max, altho they tell me they have added a couple of thousand SF recently. Classic case of being too busy to make more money. Great outfit, tho. Rick D.
Garhauer riged vang gets my vote
Ilike the garhauer vang .this is a great looking part and gives you extra speed the only problem is it takes about 1Hr to take off in thefall and put it back on in the spring Iike we dont have enough to do.
Ilike the garhauer vang .this is a great looking part and gives you extra speed the only problem is it takes about 1Hr to take off in thefall and put it back on in the spring Iike we dont have enough to do.
1 Hour?
Mine takes about 5 minutes. Leave the brackets on the spars, just pull the the connecting bolts to remove the unit and unthread the control line. To re-attach: fasten the mast bolt first(the most difficult) then match the boom bracket (easier with sail not attached) to the vang bolt, rethread the control line...there you go.
Mine takes about 5 minutes. Leave the brackets on the spars, just pull the the connecting bolts to remove the unit and unthread the control line. To re-attach: fasten the mast bolt first(the most difficult) then match the boom bracket (easier with sail not attached) to the vang bolt, rethread the control line...there you go.
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