Vang / Kicker question

[PEEJAYSEA]

Do all yachts require a vang / kicker? I note that on my (1963) yacht she does not have one presently but all yachts that I have siad to date have had one fitted.

Are there any major implications for not having one - or should I consider having one fitted?

Cheers
Paul

 

[neil_s]

I think you will find it essential, especially if you have an alloy boom. When sailing to windward, the mainsheet holds the boom towards the centre line of the boat and also tensions the leach of the mainsail, thus stopping the sail from twisting. When off the wind, the mainsheet no longer tensions the leach of the mainsail - thats where the kicking strap is needed. Boats with wooden booms didn't use them so much - because the weight of the boom tended to do the same job.

Neil

 

[Barney Rubble]

Agree with the previous comment in that a kicker is useful. If you have a roller main, you can use a claw kicker that grips the rolled sail on the boom. Here is an article about kickers and main control.

 

[PEEJAYSEA]

Boats with wooden booms didn't use them so much - because the weight of the boom tended to do the same job.

Neil

Thanks Neil - she does indeed have a wooden mast / boom. It would appear that the previous owner had considered working a kicker into his system as there is an attachement point on the boom, but I don't recall seeing anything at the foot of the mast.

She is slab reefed not roller reefing.

 

[prv]

I have a solid wooden boom, and most of the time do without a kicker. The weight of the boom provides adequate, if not ideal, downwards force. The arrangement of mast and cabin top make fitting a kicker awkward on my boat - if I could fit an effective one, I would. I did lash up a temporary kicker on the long downwind leg back from Cherbourg the other week.

At the end of the day it's not vital, you can sail without it, but you will get a better sail shape by using it. If you have the fittings, why not add one?

Pete

 

[Seajet]

Chinese Gybe

Sailing downwind without a kicker risks a Chinese gybe where the top half of the main flips over first, quite possibly tearing the sail along a panel seam, bad news in many ways, not least the problem of getting the upper segment down.

The only time I've ever experienced this was on a boat with wooden mast & boom, thought they were relatively light, the wind was about F3-4.

More mundane but constant considerations are that a main without a kicker spills a lot of useful drive, and when say approaching a lumpy harbour entrance, it's a lot more comfortable & in control to have the sail secure, rather than a big baggy centre of effort high up flopping around side to side.

 

[PEEJAYSEA]

Thanks for the feedback. As stated, it appears that the previous owner had considered putting one on and has a connection point on the boom. I do not recall seeing anything at the mast foot but guess it would be easy enough to install.

In all honesty I would prefer to have one fitted for piece of mind, rather than not - but it pays to ask for guidance nayway!

Cheers
Paul