Arnold Sharpe M-17 "LITTLE BREEZE" wrote: "Can anyone out there in Montgomery land give me some opinion on the use of a "Boom Kicker"
Hi Arnold, The Boomkicker can replace a topping lift. Or, a topping lift can replace a Boomkicker. Some people like chocolate. Some like vanilla. If you are a lake sailor and have to deal with light winds, a BK will keep the boom from bouncing around and allow you to "belly out" the main to catch all possible light breezes. (Is there a proper nautical term for this?) A TL tends to catch the top of the main and requires more frequent adjustments, IMHO. If you dry sail, I think it is easier and faster to rig a BK than a TL. I use a Clam Cleat "Dingy Vang and Trapeeze Cleat" to secure the horizontal line from the BK. When sailing, I have this line tensioned as per the instructions on the BK website. When I trailer, I loosen the line and fold the BK up so that is lays flat and bungee it to the mast. When in the process of installing or removing the boom, I have some tension in the line but not as much as when sailing. The BK sags a bit and supports the boom while I line up the gooseneck fitting in the mast slot. I keep my main rolled on the boom so it is a little awkward to deal with. If I launched once a year and had a berth, I probably would go with a TL. Jerry says you have to have a vang to go fast. It is easier for me to reach a vang to make an adjustment then to go to the mast. Of course, I could run the TL back from the mast, but there really is not much room to do so on a 15 and that would increase my set-up and tear-down time. With a berth and a 17 a TL would be my choice. You have a good point about the mid-boom sheeting and vang. You may want to try vang vs. no vang. I saw an improvement with the vang. With end boom sheeting there likely would be more of an improvement. steve Steve R. M-15 #119 Lexington, KY _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats
