Thinking of ordering a boomkicker for my O'Day 302. Any advice, good investment or wast of money? The boat curently has lazy jacks. Not realy crazy about them so i need to add a boomkicker or a topping lift.
Boomkicker
- Thread starter Larry14133
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I hope you know the lazy jacks aren't supposed to support your boom
The boom kicker is nice as long as it incorporates a good vang. It will allow you to put a store bought tent boom/cockpit cover from your mast all the way to your backstay. The topping lift needs a hole in the cover to do the same thing, but it is the old standby, and much cheaper. Have fun Joe S
The boom kicker is nice as long as it incorporates a good vang. It will allow you to put a store bought tent boom/cockpit cover from your mast all the way to your backstay. The topping lift needs a hole in the cover to do the same thing, but it is the old standby, and much cheaper. Have fun Joe S
One of the best investments you can make.
I had one on my Shark 24 back in the '90s. They have since become very commonplace in this big one design fleet. I bought my G-26 in 2000, and the first thing I added was a boomkicker. It makes such easy work of creating good mainsail shape downwind. Dropping the main is so much easier with a Boomkicker - it doesn't matter if you have the topping lift attached or not. As Joe said - you also need a good vang with a good purchase set up. Reefing is now a hell of a lot easier with the boom held in place and not flopping all around when the wind pipes up.
I had one on my Shark 24 back in the '90s. They have since become very commonplace in this big one design fleet. I bought my G-26 in 2000, and the first thing I added was a boomkicker. It makes such easy work of creating good mainsail shape downwind. Dropping the main is so much easier with a Boomkicker - it doesn't matter if you have the topping lift attached or not. As Joe said - you also need a good vang with a good purchase set up. Reefing is now a hell of a lot easier with the boom held in place and not flopping all around when the wind pipes up.
Instead of a topping lift?
I, too, have a 302 and need to replace the topping lift. Sent my buddy to the top of the mast and he can't figure out how to release the pin that holds the thimble for the topping lift. (and he's a structural engineer and can seem to figure out anything!). Was thinking about buying a hard vang from Garhauer -- would such a thing take the place of a topping lift? Has anyone out there replaced a topping lift on an O'Day 302? If so, what's the trick with the pin at the top? Thanks.
I, too, have a 302 and need to replace the topping lift. Sent my buddy to the top of the mast and he can't figure out how to release the pin that holds the thimble for the topping lift. (and he's a structural engineer and can seem to figure out anything!). Was thinking about buying a hard vang from Garhauer -- would such a thing take the place of a topping lift? Has anyone out there replaced a topping lift on an O'Day 302? If so, what's the trick with the pin at the top? Thanks.
Boom Kicker
Have one on my Hunter 30 and love it. as mentioned before a good vang is esential. I am thinking of removing the topping lift completely after i install the new vang. Happy sailing
Have one on my Hunter 30 and love it. as mentioned before a good vang is esential. I am thinking of removing the topping lift completely after i install the new vang. Happy sailing
I would leave the...
topping lift... even if you get a Rod-kicker. That gives you an extra halyard if you should need it in an emergency.
topping lift... even if you get a Rod-kicker. That gives you an extra halyard if you should need it in an emergency.
I have a Garhauer Rigid vang
and I love it. I've owned both. Garhauer and boomkicker are not that far apart cost wise and the Garhauer is MUCH more robust than a boom kicker. Garhauer makes great stuff at a very good price. My rigid vang mounts to the mast and boom with tracks, it takes about 10 seconds to install or remove it for trailering. Keep your topping lift and use it when you are parked for a while. It will allow you to relax the tension on your rigid vang or kicker and it stiffens up the boom more than the other.
and I love it. I've owned both. Garhauer and boomkicker are not that far apart cost wise and the Garhauer is MUCH more robust than a boom kicker. Garhauer makes great stuff at a very good price. My rigid vang mounts to the mast and boom with tracks, it takes about 10 seconds to install or remove it for trailering. Keep your topping lift and use it when you are parked for a while. It will allow you to relax the tension on your rigid vang or kicker and it stiffens up the boom more than the other.
No topping lift for us
The boomkicker does the job. Result is less windage and less hardware. You do need to be attentive when reaching for the boom to balance yourself, for insance when boarding the boat. The boomkicker will flex, allowing the boom to flex too.
The boomkicker does the job. Result is less windage and less hardware. You do need to be attentive when reaching for the boom to balance yourself, for insance when boarding the boat. The boomkicker will flex, allowing the boom to flex too.
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