Kicking Strap

A tackle that pulls a sailing vessel’s boom down and controls its upward movement.

Also called a boom vang, it runs between the lower mast area and the boom. It controls leech tension and sail twist when the mainsheet no longer provides enough downward force, particularly on reaches and downwind courses.

The tackle may be rope, wire, rigid or hydraulic and can be subject to high loads. Adjustment affects sail shape and boom movement; over-tensioning can overload the boom or fittings, while releasing it without control can allow the boom to rise suddenly.