I had a boom kicker on my M15 and went back to using a topping lift because a piece of rope is simpler to rig than the kicker is. As far as a vang goes, that's to keep the boom from lifting when going down wind. I use a vang occasionally on my M17. --Gary Hyde 2005 M17 sailboat #637 'Hydeaway 2' We can't change the wind, but we can trim our sails. On Jul 27, 2007, at 6:15 PM, Arnold Sharpe wrote:
Can anyone out there in Montgomery land give me some opinion on the use of a "Boom Kicker" which came with the M-17 I recently purchased used (a 1977 model) I am new to my new M-17 but have several years sailing experience in larger sailboats (we had a Choey Lee Frisco Flyer, a Mariner 31 and a S &S 24 ft sloop). In addition to the "Boom Kicker" the boat has a vang but it mounts on the boom within a foot or so of the mainsheet.... the boom has no topping lift. We have been out sailing several times now under varying wind conditions (5 to 20 knots) and directions (reaching, running) and I do not see any advantages over a simple topping lift but I may be missing something. It seems to me that the vang serves little purpose as it attaches so close to the main sheet.
The benefit of all that Montgomery experience out there would be greatly appreciated.
Kind Regards...Arnold Sharpe M-17 "LITTLE BREEZE"
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