Boom Kicker

[sailor536]

I'm considering purchasing the Boom Kicker by Seoladair Ltd. to eliminate the need for a boom topping lift, improve the sail shape in light air and for safety.

Please let me know if you have used the boom kicker on your boat and if you are happy with it or if you'd recommend another product.

Thanks,

Jim

[Tim Bosma]

We have a rigid boom vang on Hot Tamale. It supports the boom without the use of a topping lift.

[jbooher]

I have had a boom kicker for the last several years. Works great and I would recommend it.

[Bill Robertson]

I used a boom kicker for several years, but changed it out for the Garhaur rigid vang. The Garhaur is far superior and cheaper. The Boom Kicker tends to pull the boom to center line in light air because its pivot point is closer to the mast than the booms pivot point. I highly recommend the Garhaur vang.

Bill

[Guest]

Jim, correct me if I am wrong but the boom kicker can never 'pull', only push. the vang compreses the kicker--in fact if you release the vang and lift the boom the boomkicker will fall out of the boom fitting and land on the deck.

I can only rave about Sedolair as a company. Last year I contacted them because my boom fitting got bent. I explained that I did'nt even buy the unit-it came with the boat. They sent me a new one free of charge in about 3 days--and I live in Canada.

Frank
YAWANNA #122

[Fred Chadsey]

I have hull #467 and was wanting to insatll a rigid or kick vang to eliminate the need for topping lift and too aid in reefing the main. Please respond with recommendations of manufactures and size I should purchase.

[Bob Kirsten]

I had the boomkicker, and the company is great. I lost the fitting on the mast, and they sent me a new one for almost nothing in cost. I have now changed to the Garhaur rigid vang because I needed a better boom vang, and it came with the rigid.

Remember, though, that both of these will hold up the boom, but not someone sitting on it. (htis comes from the school of hard knocks, literally). I took a tumble off the cabin top trying to sit on the boom one day coming up the Black River. OK, refreshments were flowing, but it was a shock to drop down the companionway headfirst.\

Bob Kirsten
DD Mau
North Star Sail Club

[Rudeman]

I have hull #467 and was wanting to insatll a rigid or kick vang to eliminate the need for topping lift and too aid in reefing the main. Please respond with recommendations of manufactures and size I should purchase.

If you go with the Boomkicker the model K1000 is the size you need for the 7.9. One nice feature about boomkickers is that they also include the spar attachments and even the fastners. Attachment fittings are generally very expensive options on other "solid" vangs.