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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Boomkicker versus Topping Lift

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Mike013
1st Mate

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USA
64 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/19/2008 : 14:35:34

I just came back from the Strictly Sail boat show in Oakland. While I was there, I spoke with a representative from the company that manufactures Boomkickers. He put on quite the presentation on the benefits of his device. Boomkickers have been the topic of conversation on some recent forum postings. I am curious to hear from those who installed Boomkickers, to see if the benefit outweighs the cost. I also want to hear from those who have contemplated Boomkickers but have decided that this device is not a good modification for the 250. By the way, "Ariel" is a wing keel so I don't have the split backstay. Some posters have indicated that they attach the end of the boom to the backstay. By the way, the sales rep did tell me that if you place weight on the boom, it would move down.

Mike
"Ariel"
2006 C250 WK #859
Central California

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2008 : 16:21:29

See the latter half of the latest Boom Vang thread on the General forum.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2008 : 18:34:24

Mike, mine is also a wing and has a split backstay. The difference is the later models have had a design change in favor of the single stay. Don't know why. Probably won't worry about it until it's time for me to change my standing rigging.

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2008 : 19:16:02

I have a 2000 WK and installed a Boomkicker last year. On my C22 I had a topping lift. I much prefer the Boomkicker. Once installed it is done. When the mainsheet and vang are released the boom immediately goes up and beyond head height so never a knocked nogon. The kicker also eliminates having more weight and wind resistance aloft.

The issue of the boom stability when people grab it is not a big deal IMHO. The boom will still provide support but it does flex with pressure. We have never experienced trouble with that.

We do use a pigtail to stop the boom from swinging from side to side in the slip. We also used a pigtail on the C22 with the topping lift.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2008 : 20:35:11

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Nautiduck
 I have a 2000 WK and installed a Boomkicker last year...I much prefer the Boomkicker.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Oh, you're the one!

Edited by - on

MartinJW
Navigator

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USA
241 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2008 : 23:01:08

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Mike013
 I just came back from the Strictly Sail boat show in Oakland. While I was there, I spoke with a representative from the company that manufactures Boomkickers. He put on quite the presentation on the benefits of his device. Boomkickers have been the topic of conversation on some recent forum postings. I am curious to hear from those who installed Boomkickers, to see if the benefit outweighs the cost. I also want to hear from those who have contemplated Boomkickers but have decided that this device is not a good modification for the 250. By the way, "Ariel" is a wing keel so I don't have the split backstay. Some posters have indicated that they attach the end of the boom to the backstay. By the way, the sales rep did tell me that if you place weight on the boom, it would move down.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Hi Mike,

We were also there - on Friday - and were also impressed with the Boomkicker and the rep. Our new C-250 will be arriving in the next couple of weeks, and we're going to install a Boomkicker.

It looks like we need the Boomkicker model 1000 with a possible adapter to make the bracket mount to the bottom of the Catalina boom.

Martin

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2008 : 23:51:01

Martin,
If you're going to get the Boomkicker, you should take a look at [url="http://shop.catalinaowners.com/detail-bk.htm?fno=20"]this site[/url], they've got a package set up for our boats. Rita & I will probably install one of these as well.

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 04/20/2008 : 00:08:28

Yes, get it at the site David recommends. That is where we got ours and they have a C250-specific model.

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MartinJW
Navigator

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USA
241 Posts

Response Posted - 04/23/2008 : 21:25:01

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by delliottg
 Martin,
If you're going to get the Boomkicker, you should take a look at [url="http://shop.catalinaowners.com/detail-bk.htm?fno=20"]this site[/url], they've got a package set up for our boats. Rita & I will probably install one of these as well.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I ordered it today, from Catalinaowners.com. Thanks for the tip, Dave.

Martin

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2008 : 12:50:43

Gents,

Although I took issue with Frank Hopper regarding his view of the boomkicker, and the fact that I installed a rigid vang on my C-25T and like it a lot, I agree with Frank that the topping lift is a reliable device. For the sake of redundancy if anything else, it would be a wise mariner who installs a topping lift of 1/4" line in addition to the boomkicker.......... just in case the boomkicker fails at a critical time.

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2008 : 13:45:54

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">or the sake of redundancy if anything else, it would be a wise mariner who installs a topping lift of 1/4" line in addition to the boomkicker.......... just in case the boomkicker fails at a critical time.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Sorry, but I have to disagree. There is no reason to have a topping lift as a backup to a Boomkicker. There is nothing on the Boomkicker to fail. It is a simple and bulletproof device. Adding lines aloft with extra windage and weight is not necessary with a Boomkicker installed. If you are intent on having a topping lift then I would advise to skip the Boomkicker unless, of course, it is a backup to the topping lift.

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stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2008 : 16:33:14

Catalina is installing Boomkickers (Solid Vangs) as standard equipment on at least the 309. Haven't noticed if the other models have them as standard equipment.

Having sailed on one boat with a boom kicker, I liked it. I think having a pig-tail or a topping lift, is a must have with a boom kicker.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2008 : 20:31:16

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by stampeder
 Catalina is installing Boomkickers (Solid Vangs) as standard equipment on at least the 309. Haven't noticed if the other models have them as standard equipment.

Having sailed on one boat with a boom kicker, I liked it. I think having a pig-tail or a topping lift, is a must have with a boom kicker.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Boomkicker or rigid boom vang? There is a distinct diference.

As to pigtails, the one on my first boat, when I didn't know squat about sailing, left a very bad taste in my mouth.

Edited by - on

welshoff
Captain

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USA
253 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2008 : 11:21:03

Here is a photo of my boom kicker in action. I like mine over the topping lift on my last sailboat. The boom will move around if you use it for a hand hold (with no sail hoisted). I take off the sail cover at the dock and untie boom from backstay before raising sails. If I need to stabilize the boom when sails are down, I can always tie boom to the backstay. No big deal. Just make sure to untie boom prior to raising sails again (you will remember this - it only takes once to forget - don't ask)

I find the simplicity of holding the boom during sail handling (hoisting/reefing) out weighs by far any of the negative aspects. Raising sail, dropping sails, reefing, and boomvang adjustments the boom is always where you left it. You just find a routine that works for you. Just my thoughts.

In the photo, I have the boomvang hardened, and boom preventer rigged (sailing down wind):

Edited by - welshoff on 05/03/2008 11:22:53

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2008 : 14:23:05

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by welshoff
 Just make sure to untie boom prior to raising sails again (you will remember this - it only takes once to forget - don't ask)<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Been there, done that...Not fun.

I just got back from my second sail of the season and while flaking the main on the boom and putting the sail cover on, which I do while still under sail, I use the boom for a little bit more than just a simple handhold.

Edited by - on

Jack Schafer
Navigator

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USA
112 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2008 : 17:15:39

I am in the process of installing a boomkicker on 2nd wind, I noticed a bace under the gooseneck on your installation. What is it's use and is it necessary?

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2008 : 22:11:08

That brace is an anti-rotation component that stops the boom from rotating on its axis. It comes with the Boomkicker C250 model. I believe that you want it. I have it on my Boomkicker.

Edited by - Nautiduck on 05/03/2008 22:12:09

MartinJW
Navigator

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USA
241 Posts

Response Posted - 05/10/2008 : 08:06:21

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by welshoff
 Here is a photo of my boom kicker in action.
[edited]
In the photo, I have the boomvang hardened, and boom preventer rigged (sailing down wind):

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Our new C-250 and Boomkicker both arrived last week; I'm hoping to get this installed in the next week or two.

Although I haven't completely laid this out for installation, here are my preliminary observations regarding the Boomkicker for the C-250 mk II:

The mk II C-250 no longer has the ridge on the bottom of of the boom, so the small, plastic adapter that fits between the boom fitting and the boom itself is no longer necessary. (See the picture from Welshoff, above; it's the dark gray rectangular piece.)

Also, it appears that Catalina has changed the gooseneck (fitting that attaches the boom to the mast) so that the boom can no longer "roll". This means that the Boomkicker Roll Stop Fitting (p/n K0750; shown in the picture above connecting the boom to the mast) is no longer needed, either.

After I get this installed, I'll post some pictures to clarify this.

Martin

Edited by - on

SCnewbie
Navigator

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166 Posts

Response Posted - 06/10/2008 : 19:54:11

I got my boomkicker installed last week. I really do like having it. It is very simple. My wife likes it as well so that is the important thing.

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piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 06/11/2008 : 12:21:41

As you know, making The Admiral happy is first and foremost.
Steve A

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BobM
Deckhand

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USA
9 Posts

Response Posted - 06/12/2008 : 19:30:10

I purchased the Catalina Direct Boomkicker and it was easy to install and works great. My wife says not being hit in the head by the boom is priceless!

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 06/12/2008 : 21:39:15

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I purchased the Catalina Direct Boomkicker and it was easy to install and works great. My wife says not being hit in the head by the boom is priceless!<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

As someone else posted recently - Pleasing the Admiral is job #1!!

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