Kicking Strap attachment

[Kelpie]

Last summer, whilst approaching the leeward mark in a race (!) my kicker gave up the ghost, parting company with the mast. The old fitting was a stainless slider with a U-bolt on it, held into the mast track with a bolt for friction. This fitting clearly isn't really up to taking a lateral load. I have been told that you can get a more robust fitting which has a swivel, allowing it to follow the boom from side to side.
Unfortunately, from a trawl of the chandlery websites, I haven't been able to find such a fitting. It would help if I knew what it was called!
Anybody able to help out?

 

[sailorman]

can you adapt a gooseneck fitting

 

[Kylora]

On my Vega (1789), the stainless mast step extends aft and is angled up at 45 degrees. It has a couple of holes, one of which I use for the lower end of the kicker.

Just realised that you might not be discussing your Vega.

Ash

 

[William_H]

It is most desirable to get the kicker attachment at the mast base as low as possible. This will improve the power of the kicker.
So if it is a deck stepped mast it might be better to attach to the base or even a plate fitted under the base.
There should be a swivel inline ie below the azimuth pivot of the gooseneck to minimise length changes from boom in to boom out. If the attachment and swivel point for the bottom of the kicker is aft of this line under gooseneck pivot then when the boom is eased it will try to stretch the kicker by the amount the point is out of line. Similarly the kicker may try to pull the attachment sideways as boom goes out so needs to be robust in the sideways direction. Sorry can't help much more without details of what you have. good luck olewill

 

[Daydream believer]

Its a vang fitting
You will find one on page 24 of the sparcraft pdf catalogue

 

[Kelpie]

Ash, yes this is for the Vega. I'll look at mounting on to the mast step itself, maybe with a u-bolt.

I didn't find anybody stocking a suitable 'vang fitting' on google... surprised that this is not easier to find, surely every boat has one!

 

[theoldsalt]

Mavanier,

Is this the type of fitting you are looking for ?

View attachment 29067

Similar to the item referenced in Daydream believer's post.

 

[Kelpie]

Yes, that's the idea, but preferably something which will fit into the mast track.

 

[Seajet]

Try Sailspar, they are very helpful; no connection.

 

[30boat]

Yes, that's the idea, but preferably something which will fit into the mast track.

Will this do?I have it in the shed and don't need it.

 

[Kelpie]

Will this do?I have it in the shed and don't need it.

Thanks but it looks a bit on the chunky side.
I'll try Sailspar.

 

[30boat]

Thanks but it looks a bit on the chunky side.
I'll try Sailspar.

Yes it's large,it came from a Bavaria 38,