Kicker and Cunningham

   Anyone want to comment on what to do in a boat that DOES have lowers (or a mast ram / strut)?
Pulling on the kicker increases the mast bend until the lowers are tight (ie depowering the sail), after which it powers the boat up again by pulling in the leech.

I guess that you always need the leech in when the wind is >6knts or so, so it's a matter of setting the lowers to lock the mast at the right curve = power-level, then pulling on kicker until the leech is in and the lowers come tight.  Well, that's what I try to do on the V3k.

On the Javelin, which has a mast ram, we use masses of kicker to hold the leech in tight, and only let the mast ram off when we're over powered (upon which a bit more kicker is required).   Same thing I think - but adjustable on the water.

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NickA Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 30 Mar 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 784	Post Options Post Reply Quote NickA Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Kicker and Cunningham Posted: 15 Sep 11 at 6:06pm
	Anyone want to comment on what to do in a boat that DOES have lowers (or a mast ram / strut)? Pulling on the kicker increases the mast bend until the lowers are tight (ie depowering the sail), after which it powers the boat up again by pulling in the leech. I guess that you always need the leech in when the wind is >6knts or so, so it's a matter of setting the lowers to lock the mast at the right curve = power-level, then pulling on kicker until the leech is in and the lowers come tight. Well, that's what I try to do on the V3k. On the Javelin, which has a mast ram, we use masses of kicker to hold the leech in tight, and only let the mast ram off when we're over powered (upon which a bit more kicker is required). Same thing I think - but adjustable on the water.
	Javelin 558 Contender 2574

RS400atC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 04 Dec 08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3011	Post Options Post Reply Quote RS400atC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 15 Sep 11 at 7:38pm
	The mast keeps bending, above the lowers, after the lowers are tight. How much it bends depends how much topmast there is above the shrouds. The mast bends much less in the lower half than it would with slack lowers though. Yes it closes the leach, or if you sail with the middle of the leach in the same place, the boom is further off the centreline. Rule 1, everything affects everything else.

Jaws Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 27 Nov 10 Online Status: Offline Posts: 92	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jaws Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 16 Sep 11 at 6:51pm
	Upwind on boats like the 29er is it best to stay dead flat or to induce a slight windward heel?
	RS600 794

themeaningoflife Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Far too distracted from work Joined: 06 May 11 Location: Essex/ Kent Online Status: Offline Posts: 212	Post Options Post Reply Quote themeaningoflife Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 16 Sep 11 at 7:08pm
	W e had this discussion at Weymouth a couple of weekends ago, advice was that either is good, although slight windward is better, but keeping the boat steady is crucial otherwise lots of energy is lost through the foils and also the airflow can be flicked off of the sails :) You should come along to the open trainings, although the ones up until Christmas are full atm, all these questions will be answered for you, including some you didn't even think to ask (as we found a lot) by some of the best ex-29er sailors in the country!
	Cambridge University Lightweight Rowing Club RS800 1128 kindly sponsored by RWO Marine