Congrats on the new to you boat.
Don't get rid of the topping lift. If you ever break the main halyard, you'll be wishing you still had the topping lift, since it can substitute for the main halyard.
Most boom kickers and rigid vangs say something about supporting the boom for long periods of time with a topping lift or halyard. Whether you need a boom kicker or boomvang has little to do with the fact that the traveler is cabin top mounted. The
boom vang is used to help keep the sail shape, especially on a run or reach... by holding the boom down. The mainsheet can do this, but not as effectively, since doing so on those points of sail will compromise sail trim.
If you're going to be cruising mostly short handed, I would recommend you install a boom brake, rather than a
boom vang. It will work in much the same manner as a
boom vang, but also increase your safety, by reducing the possibility of getting hit by the boom at high speed in an accidental gybe or tack.
__________________
Sailingdog
Telstar 28
New England
You know what the first rule of sailing is? ...Love. You can learn all the math in the 'verse, but you take
a boat to the sea you don't love, she'll shake you off just as sure as the turning of the worlds. Love keeps
her going when she oughta fall down, tells you she's hurting 'fore she keens. Makes her a home.
—Captain Malcolm Reynolds, Serenity (slightly edited)
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Just Bought Ericson 27
I know, since I have a Dutchman BB500 on my boat.
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