Boomkicker® Boom
Supports
The Alternative to Mechanical or Rigid
Vangs
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| It's helpful when
adding any kind of boom support device, whether a mechanical
vang or Boomkicker, to check the gooseneck to see if it
allows the boom to roll about its' central axis. The back
and forth rolling of the boom causes added stress to the
boom fitting and fasteners of the boom support. We recommend
that booms be fixed in the upright position. That type of gooseneck
design was primarily used on older boats before the 1990s
and the bigger the boat the bigger the stresses. Boats in
the 20 foot range are often fine as is, but it depends on
the gooseneck and boom design.
Customers often solve it themselves or find a rigger. Solutions are mixed depending on the design.
Alternatives might include drilling through the boom
and swivel pin, then pinning it in place. Installing set
screws on each side of the swivel pin to lock it. Sometimes the end casting
can be removed and a nut on the end of
the swivel pin tightened to hold it in place. Others have been
able to weld it, or install a strap through the gooseneck to
lock it. A few have been able to replace the gooseneck with
a newer design.
We offer a fitting that mounts on the mast below the
gooseneck with straps that reach up and fasten to both sides
of the boom. It allows movement of the boom but
restricts rolling. It's not the best looking
solution, but it's a relatively simple add-on compared to a
modification. It comes with a slide for the luff groove, same
as the Boomkicker, to hopefully avoid drilling the mast.
Sometimes existing screws in the gooseneck can be used for
the straps, otherwise new screw holes will need to be
drilled. Below are a drawing and photos of the fitting. |
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