Solid Vang or Boomkicker. Choices?

Tigerlily · Post by **Tigerlily** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 7:47 am

Class-
I am conducting a little survey to get a discussion going on Boom Vang choices. There are several solutions and difference in cost for solid vangs from Garhauer, Quik Vang, Vang Master, Boomkicker, etc.
Practical Sailor recently did a piece on Vangs.
I would like to get comments from the class on the experiences and actual use of a variety of Vangs before I decide on which Vang to go with.
Thanks.

Post by **Tim Bosma** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 10:06 am

We have a solid vang with and internal spring, and a 4:1 purchase. We have been very pleased with it except when we need to really crank it on in a blow, it doesn't seem to go as far as we want. In those cases, we should probably be reefing the main. It also stops us from bringing the end of the boom down into the cockpit below eye level (I know, eye level is variable, I'm 6' and we have a short guy on our crew...)

Post by **fleck** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 10:27 am

We went with the Boomkicker. I beleive it is the lightest choice, and least expensive. It removes from the boom with only one pin, so its no problem when breaking down the boat.

The Garhauer is an nice unit, affordable, solid but heavy. If racing wasn't my primary use, I probably consider those.

Steve Bowen · Post by **Steve Bowen** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 6:17 pm

I have no complaints with my Garhauer. Plenty of power (12:1). Yes, it is a little heavy, but indestructable, unlike some of the ultralight and ultraexpensive vangs I have seen collapse on bigger boats in my PHRF fleet.