Allen Laser XD Kicker?

Xpletive: borrow one and find out . . .

   Hey,Has anyone got any experience of the Allen Laser XD Kicker? I've got a line on a second-hand one and I'd appreciate any accounts of your feelings on them, positive or negative.

Cheers,
Peter

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dohertpk Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 28 Sep 12 Online Status: Offline Posts: 172	Post Options Post Reply Quote dohertpk Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Allen Laser XD Kicker? Posted: 01 Aug 13 at 10:28pm
	Hey, Has anyone got any experience of the Allen Laser XD Kicker? I've got a line on a second-hand one and I'd appreciate any accounts of your feelings on them, positive or negative. Cheers, Peter

jeffers Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 29 Mar 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3048	Post Options Post Reply Quote jeffers Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Aug 13 at 7:04am
	I find the Allen (or Holt) version is servicable and does the job but it is not a patch on the Harken version. In my opinion the Harken is worth every penny extra. The reason is that the Holt does not seem to flow as freely as the Harken, is prone to twisting and prone to uncleating itself at inopportune moments. Both are a massive improvement on the previous iteration of kicker though. Just my opinion....
	Paul ---------------------- D-Zero GBR 74

GarethT Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 21 Apr 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 714	Post Options Post Reply Quote GarethT Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Aug 13 at 8:06am
	Not had a problem with my Allen one, although my son's Harken is better. You just need to get past the fact that it will always look twisted, even when it isn't!

Fraggle Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 28 Feb 07 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 220	Post Options Post Reply Quote Fraggle Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Aug 13 at 12:52pm
	Personally would always find the extra for the Harken. Its just soo much better. Allen always has friction in the lines whereas the Harken just works perfectly.

Nihil Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 21 Sep 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 20	Post Options Post Reply Quote Nihil Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Aug 13 at 12:58pm
	I'd totally agree with Fragster, I went from sailing knackered school boats with old style control lines to one with full Harken XD kit and my god does it make it a different animal. I had a go in a mate's boat with the Allen kicker recently and it's just fiddly, sticky and twisty by comparison. Harken every time, for everything tbh. There is a good reason it's more expensive.
	Laser 197679

dohertpk Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 28 Sep 12 Online Status: Offline Posts: 172	Post Options Post Reply Quote dohertpk Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Aug 13 at 8:55pm
	Dear all, Thanks a mil for the feedback. I think I'll hold out and save for the Harken so. Two questions, is upgrading to the XD kicker as transformative as everyone says it is, and, does anyone have a Harken example they're looking to sell? Thanks again! Peter

Xpletive Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 28 Jan 06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 320	Post Options Post Reply Quote Xpletive Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Aug 13 at 11:28pm
	I'm puzzled as to why these two expensive systems are thought to be so much better than the original system adapted with the addition of Ronstan blocks:- http://www.roostersailing.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=1&Product_Code=1767 This system is perfectly reliable & controllable with very little effort. There is also no excessive rope length involved. I've used these ever since the blocks were permitted and cannot imagine what advantage could be gained from either of these other two pricey items, which I understand may have a tendency to snag the daggerboard elastic.

deadrock Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 24 Jun 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 85	Post Options Post Reply Quote deadrock Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Aug 13 at 11:54pm
	Xpletive: borrow one and find out . . .

Rupert Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 11 Aug 04 Location: Whitefriars sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 8956	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rupert Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Aug 13 at 7:32am
	First time I used one, I was amazed - for a small person, it made the boat useable.
	Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

PeterG Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 12 Jan 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 822	Post Options Post Reply Quote PeterG Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Aug 13 at 9:46am
	Xpletive: borrow one and find out . . . I used to use one like the Rooster upgrade, it was a home brew, but essentially the same. They are a revelation compared to the original Laser kicker. Sure the Ronstan is nicer to use, and I've used one for years now, but they aren't cheap and I'd reckon you get 80-90% of the benefit going for upgrading the basic kicker with some small blocks for a fraction of the cost.
	Peter Ex Cont 707 Ex Laser 189635 DY 59