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Boom Kicker

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hewebb
Admiral

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USA
761 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/25/2011 : 04:17:26

Catalina Owners.com has boom kickers on sale and it is tempting me. Have any of you used one? I have trouble reaching over the bimini to attach the rattail to the boom to lower the sail. It looks like the boom kicker would be a good answer, however, it also looks like you could not raise the pop top after it is installed.

1988 WK/SR w/inboard diesel Joe Pool Lake
Hobie 18 Lake Worth

Life is not a dress rehearsal. You will not get another chance.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 11/25/2011 : 07:13:46

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by hewebb
 I have trouble reaching over the bimini to attach the rattail to the boom to lower the sail.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

This is easily, and much less expensively, solved by installing a simple topping lift. Mine is led back to the cabintop so it can be adjusted from under the bimini. As to the pigtail, lose it.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 11/25/2011 : 09:12:21

I would call a boom-kicker an $100 solution to a $10 problem. It's your money but, if it were mine, I'd install a topping lift and lose the pigtail.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3440 Posts

Response Posted - 11/25/2011 : 09:15:22

I think those that have boom kickers like them but agree with Don. I have a topping lift and it works fine for going out and in of the marina and my boom vang works for holding the main sail down when on a broad reach to maintain sail contour. I think you are right that the boom kicker will interfere with raising the pop top. The boom vang also interferes but is easily squared away by slacking up on the boom vang line.

Edited by - on

Lynn
Deckhand

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USA
13 Posts

Response Posted - 11/25/2011 : 11:46:17

The pigtail function is to keep the boom from swaying when at anchor or docked, and can also be used to hold the boom up, but is tough to handle when under sail and trying to reef without something holding the boom up. The topping lift function is to keep the boom from falling when the sail is lowered or reefed and can also be used to raise the boom if rigged for that. The boom kicker will raise or lower the boom (won't keep it from swaying), but must be disconnected in order to raise the pop top. The disonnect for the boomkicker to raise the poptop is as simple as releasing the quick pins at each end, but if you don't have a topping lift or pig tail, the boom will lower after the disconnect. So in short, as a boom holder, it is rather pricely compared to the pigtail and topping lift. For racers, the boom kicker is used to assist in sail trim and allows them to lose the topping lift which some believe interfers with the aero dynamics of trimming the sail. I guess if you don't have a topping lift and don't want to drop your mast to install one, or will have to pay someone to install a topping lift, then the boom kicker might be a option. I've owned a boom kicker and used it on my C22 which I raced and does not have a pop top. I skipped the cost on my C25 and just use a topping lift. By the way, sail jacks also act as a topping lift of sorts when the sail is dropped and can be rigged to be adjustable and out of the way when sailing or just left in place and are much cheaper than a boom kicker.

Edited by - on

hewebb
Admiral

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USA
761 Posts

Response Posted - 11/27/2011 : 05:34:32

I hadn't thought about using the Lazy Jacks or E Z Jacks to hold the boom up. I plan to get a set of them and install them in February when I have the boat at home to work on. I think the E Z Jack is the one I will get, however I would sure like to see a set of each installed and talk to the owners to determine which will work best for me. I am still on a steep learning curve when it comes to the sailboat.

Edited by - on

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 11/27/2011 : 12:08:57

I have removed boom kickers off of two boats. I would be embarrassed to have lazy jacks on a 25' boat.

Edited by - on

hewebb
Admiral

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USA
761 Posts

Response Posted - 11/28/2011 : 05:01:51

Why would you be embarrassed to have a easy to use system to lower the sails and keep them contained on the boom.?

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5895 Posts

Response Posted - 11/28/2011 : 06:34:44

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by hewebb
 Why would you be embarrassed to have a easy to use system to lower the sails and keep them contained on the boom.?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">"Embarrassed" might ba an overstatement, but there are some drawbacks to lazy jacks. I just installed a set on my C&C 35, and the biggest drawback is that I now have 4 additional lines running up alongside the mast that I have to deal with, to keep them from slapping the mast when in the slip. If I normally had crew, I wouldn't have lazy jacks. They're only worth the bother if you singlehand frequently. If you have at least one crew, it isn't that difficult to furl the main and tie it to the boom in a minute, especially on a smaller boat. Although I singlehanded my C25 alot, I never felt a need for lazy jacks, but I'm beginning to do things differently at age 69 than when I was younger. My feeling generally is that it's your boat and you can rig it and sail it anyway you want, but it's always worthwhile to seek the thoughts of others before you spend the money and effort. We don't all have to do everything the same way.

Edited by - Steve Milby on 11/28/2011 06:44:00

JimGo
Admiral

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USA
962 Posts

Response Posted - 11/28/2011 : 08:35:06

Steve,
I've seen some interesting Lazy Jacks configurations with the ability to loosten the lines near the mast (which you then lash down) to help reduce some of the noise associated with the Jacks.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 11/28/2011 : 10:12:43

My jacks are attached to the masthead and the boom. They're nowhere near the mast. I adjust them at the boom and leave them slack enough to not effect sail shape so, the boom drops a little when the sail comes down. When I put the sail cover on, they're loose enough to allow them to remain in place. I neatly flake the sail when I'm back in the slip.

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5895 Posts

Response Posted - 11/28/2011 : 10:46:27

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by John Russell
 My jacks are attached to the masthead and the boom. They're nowhere near the mast. I adjust them at the boom and leave them slack enough to not effect sail shape so, the boom drops a little when the sail comes down. When I put the sail cover on, they're loose enough to allow them to remain in place. I neatly flake the sail when I'm back in the slip.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Mine are attached below the spreaders, and I pull them forward to the mast in a severe storm, to reduce windage. If I leave them deployed they don't make noise. I also pull them forward when I race. I know it will help if I develop good habits for when to deploy them and when not to, and figure out how to secure them when pulled forward, but I haven't had them long enough to get to that point.

It only takes one slapping line to drive you crazy, and I have 7 to deal with. It isn't good enough to silence 6 of them.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 11/28/2011 : 12:23:42

One night this summer I grabbed a handful of bungees and secured halyards on 4 or 5 of my neighbors' boats. AT 0200 I just couldn't take any more!

Edited by - John Russell on 11/28/2011 12:24:39

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