Boom kicker

[Tony Benoit]

Hi,

There's a sail on boom kickers at:

http://shop.catalinaowners.com/boomkicker/detail-bk.tpl?fno=20&cart=1112041245135462

Has anyone experience with these?

Thanks,

Tony B
#903 Helen C

[Ron Hill]

Tony : I see that it'll cost you $175 for that kicker, while a Garhauer rigid vang is about $350.  

[Jeff Tancock]

I don't have any experience with the boom kicker but am considering one at the moment.
I like the look of the idea but not sure about the pros and cons of them.

[David Sanner]

The Garhauer rigid vang is nice not only because it's spring loaded
(lifts the boom in light air and obviates the need for a topping lift) but
it has tremendous purchase so you can really flatten the main
when sailing down wind even without putting the line on a winch.

But if you like the vang that you have it looks like the kicker is a less
expensive option, and a bit lighter as well.

Finally a rigid vang or kicker controls the boom, making it more stable
when reefing (same stability as if you eased the main sheet and
tightened the topping lift without trouble).