rigid vang, boomkicker

[Rolf]

Does anyone here have a rigid vang or the boomkicker? Will the boomkicker fully support the boom while under power? I have a stand up bimini and would like to use it to hold boom off to one side.

I heard someone(garhauer?) makes a pretty slick stainless steel or chrome one.

Does anyone have these, and how do they work, price out, etc. Many thanks,
Rolf

[Billy]

I have used the Garhauer rigid vang for 2 years now. I am well satisfied with the performance and the quality of the product. I have mine so I can adjust the boom up out of the way. You can overpower with the unit if you are not careful--you can actually see the boom start bending. I would buy it again. One of the better additions to the boat, IMO.

[Merrick White]

I bought a boomkicker (from this site) 3 years ago. It was one of my most worthwhile purchases for the Mac.

It was an easy install and no maintenance. Used in conjunction with the vang, sail shape can be controlled.

When not sailing the boomkicker holds the boom up in all conditions. Even in 60mph thunderstorm winds ! ! ! !

[Scott]

Our Boomkicker is one of my favorite additions to the boat. They come with 2 thickness of tortion rods. We use the lighter ones. I tried the thick ones but it made it difficult to vang the boom when running.

Be careful when comeing off of the foredeck if you use the boom to steady yourself. The boom will dip and swing when you grab it.

The hieght of the boom is infinitly adjustable as the mast side mount rides in the luff groove. We keep ours jus high enough to clear the bimini.

Its sweet not having to deal with the crutch every time you drop sails.

[Rolf]

Thanks for the feedback and pics. A rigid vang is definitely one of my next purchases.
Rolf

[Chip Hindes]

I know a lot of people have these and like them. However, if all you want is to keep the boom out of the cockpit when the sail's down, a simple pigtail attachment to the backstay probably works better than any of the other devices, at a fraction of the price.

However, if you want to control boom height and/or sail shape while under sail, you need one of the other devices. A standard line and pully topping lift does everything the boomkicker does, but better, and at a lower price. With either, you need a conventional boom vang to complete the package, but the topping lift gives precise control over boom height and sail shape. The boomkicker, being a spring device, does not.

I'm not familiar with a rigid vang, but if is is truly rigid, if you can control boom height precislely, and if don't need a conventional boom vang, the concept has merit. Though, I'd bet a topping lift and boom vang in combination are much easier to adjust.

A generously sized topping lift is quite stable and doesn't "dip" if you lean on the boom. I used mine in combination with the mainsheet to convert the boom into a jib crane, and it was strong enough to support a 57 pound dinghy motor for lifting off the cockpit seat, swinging over the side, then lowering the motor into the dinghy. I'm considering upgrading it still further so it could be used in an emergency to retrieve a person overboard from the water. It's only an opinion, but the pictured boomkicker looks way too flimsy for either of these. Rigid vang? Don't know, never seen one.

None of these devices stops the boom from swinging, nor should they.

My topping lift is led aft through a line organizer and power cleat, and is fully adjustable from the cockpit. Boomkicker or rigid vang: don't think so.

Finally, with the addition of an extra block, my topping lift serves as a flag halyard for the National Ensign. Try that with your boomkicker or rigid vang

[Frank C]

Garhauer's rigid vang is basically twin stainless sleeves (slip-fit cylinders ~ 1.25" diam) with a very strong spring inside. The spring tries to expand the sleeves, pushing up on the boom. The 12:1 vang is used to limit that expansion, or as tension is added, to actually pull the boom down very forcefully.

The result of this push/pull rigging permits you to set the boom height wherever you choose. Garhauer's price is less than $200 for the entire package - about the same as the boomkicker alone, but it includes the 12:1 tackle.

Chip's right, neither boomkicker plus vang, nor the Garhauer rigid vang would serve for boom-hoisting duty, or flag flying.

[Graham Carr]

Chip, I agree with you. I also use a topping lift and love it. Two other advantages of this method are; I use the boom for a boom cover when on the hook (I have no clue if the ridge would support a cover pulled tight). If in strong wind the main halyard jams aloft not allowing you to reef or drop the sail completely you can hoist the boom up to the mast and secure with it line. Things always seem to go wrong at the worst possible time.

[Graham Carr]

oops! rigid

[Jack O'Brien]

My boat came with the optional boom vang tackle. I added a Garhauer Rigid Vang AND a topping lift.

Used one of the original vang bails in place of buying a $17 hound from WM when I mounted my spinnaker block one foot higher than the forestay hound. I can use the 4:1 vang tackle with my Lifesling and jib halyard to hoist Chip over the side or with it, and the topping lift on the end of the boom, his dinghy motor.

The rigid vang holds the boom up or down. The topping lift allows hoisting flags, xmas lights, etc. up the backstay or just hoisting anything up the mast without using either halyard. It could even hold the boom up.

[Scott]

Chip, not to be contrare But:

With either, you need a conventional boom vang to complete the package, but the topping lift gives precise control over boom height and sail shape. The boomkicker, being a spring device, does not.

With the vang I can easily control the heighth of my boom

It's only an opinion, but the pictured boomkicker looks way too flimsy for either of these.

I wouldnt rely on my kicker to retrieve someone, however the halyard to the outhaul would convert the mast to a crane. possably not enough purchase to hoist someone but it could support them until you got a sling on them.

My topping lift is led aft through a line organizer and power cleat, and is fully adjustable from the cockpit. Boomkicker or rigid vang: don't think so.

My vang is fed in reverse to the companionway and is adjustable from the cockpit.

Finally, with the addition of an extra block, my topping lift serves as a flag halyard for the National Ensign. Try that with your boomkicker or rigid vang

I use the boaters world flag clips and hank them on the rear stay

I did find the comment interesting re: controlling sail shape with a topping lift. This was new to me as ant boat Ive sailed wwith a lift, you release or relieve the life as you raise the sails. Anytime Ive seen a topping lift tight while sailing you get a lot of leach flutter?

[mgg4]

I did find the comment interesting re: controlling sail shape with a topping lift. This was new to me as ant boat Ive sailed wwith a lift, you release or relieve the life as you raise the sails. Anytime Ive seen a topping lift tight while sailing you get a lot of leach flutter?

The topping lift is normally left slack while sailing, however in extremely light air (so light that there is not enough pressure to lift the boom allowing the sail to fill), it allows the boom to be raised manually, allowing the sail to fill without having to lift the weight of the boom too.

--Mark

[Idle Time]

Glad I read this post...I was considering a rigid vang...think I'll have Jim make our topping lift more adjustable and stick with what we have.