Icon Class Association

Originally posted by Medway Maniac That bridle is set low -> high leach tension and sheet loads. Can you lengthen it?

Originally posted by Medway Maniac Originally posted by jeffers the kicker is pretty powerful so you can control the sail really well. I found it very easy to use too much kicker and 'choke' the main... No doubt, given that the mainsheet is already doing half the kicker’s work! Not saying you are wrong, but if that bridle is the right length it would be unique on a sloop rig, in my experience. Singlehanders/una rigs need much less sail twist, of course.

All spot on there, Mike, including the decision to allow freedom of choice on an item of minimal cost.

Agreed.  With my combination of wrist, elbow, shoulder problems off the boom doesn't work for me, so it's great to have the choice, plus to be able to switch from one set up to another fairly easily. The boat here does allow for sheeting from the floor, but doesn't have a jammer.  I will have a close look at the bridle maybe even this evening, if it is too tight it would explain the leech stalling the main.

The boat here does allow for sheeting from the floor, but doesn't have a jammer.  I will have a close look at the bridle maybe even this evening, if it is too tight it would explain the leech stalling the main.

I would suggest NOT putting any sort of centre-main tower or strop on the central spine where Devoti have put the obvious hardpoints (you can see them as there are recessed fastenings both sides of trhe central spine).  In this position it is far too far back in the boat I'm afraid. 

You would find the gap behind it too restricted to take any sort of decent extension through on a regular basis !  Also the helm then has to tack way back down the boat ... and this is not fast unless they are of the  flyweight variety.  The position for any sort of floor based system elements would be roughly a couple of inches  further forward than the control line turning blocks on the spine before the lines cross the boat to each side from the spine - you may have to adjust the positon of the boom block to do this as well ....

BTW I'd not be too worried about the main stalling  - the main is both relatively open and relatively flat ... you would have to try pretty hard to compromise it badly or without it being very obvious !   Just aim to keep the boat flowing forward and don't pinch if you do not have a good reason to go there.  Best VMG upwind is not necesaarily with the boom right on the centre-line upwind anyway but if you 'need' to point for tactical reasons Icon is still capable of just about climbing up plate glass if you are doing things with a bit of finesse and the boat is set up optimally !   If the boat is set up correctly then 'time on the water' is the best lesson available to anyone - but try different things, pinching, going a tad lower, mainsheet tension on a bit more, kicker - more or less.   In other words play with it  for some time and get the 'feel' of it.  It is that bit different from many boats out there .... 

Mike L.