Who was out this weekend?.....

 

But our local Alto crew says she values her gnav and wouldn't want to lose it.

 

Same on the 3000, my crew misses the V3k's gnav on the L3k we're currently sailing.

 

As a helm, however, I prefer the lack of friction of a conventional kicker and also the more controlled mast bend it introduces. A gnav not only pushes the mast forward at the top end - controllable with lowers - but it also pulls the mast back at the gooseneck which strictly speaking requires control by a puller fixed on the foredeck, which you don't want because it interferes with tacking the jib, the asy. pole, crew play-pen etc.)

 

Having played with a self-disappearing kicker (don't ask), the solution I'm trialling a present is quick-adjustment of the kicker attachment point on the boom. Basically, move the boom-slide between a forward, light airs position and an aft, windy position; fix it with a fast-pin; set it before you go sailing for the wind on the day; simples. In practice, we found yesterday - as often - that we had light airs near the club, windy downstream and the slide wouldn't slide happily when out on the water. More thought required. (And yes, you will break the gooseneck if you leave the slide forward and whack on the loads...)