Technique: Kicker. No effect on the sail shape

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Kicker. No effect on the sail shape

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: Dinghy classes
Forum Name: Technique
Forum Discription: 'How to' section for dinghy questions and answers
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=10748
Printed Date: 27 Jun 25 at 12:38pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Kicker. No effect on the sail shape

Posted By: JVSAIL
Subject: Kicker. No effect on the sail shape
Date Posted: 04 Mar 13 at 5:27pm

So in my 200 I have the 16:1 kicker. And upwind I can pull it right on so that not more kicker can be pulled but this seems to have no effect on the leech and the sail shape is horrible

Replies:

Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 04 Mar 13 at 5:33pm

On a rig like the RS200 the main effect of the kicker is on twist rather than sail shape.

Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 04 Mar 13 at 6:00pm

Not sure how it can be possible for it to have no effect on the leech. Not surprised sail shape is horrible if the kicker is pulled on as tight as it goes. Photos would help.

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Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

Posted By: winging it
Date Posted: 04 Mar 13 at 6:54pm

make sure the kicker take off point is in the right place on the boom, sounds to me like it has possibly shifted too far towards the mast, so you're going block to block without achieving anything

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the same, but different...

Posted By: RS400atC
Date Posted: 04 Mar 13 at 7:25pm

I assume it's not gone block to block at any point in the cascade?
And that you haven't already pulled the leech super-tight with the mainsheet.

Posted By: RichTea
Date Posted: 04 Mar 13 at 8:53pm

If you sit the boat on tyres and roll it on its side, you will get more of an understanding of what the kicker is doing. Similar to the demos at the boat show.

Posted By: GybeFunny
Date Posted: 05 Mar 13 at 12:11pm

It sounds like your kicker is going block to block too soon as it should affect leech tension when you pull it.