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Author Topic: Kicker
Ian 23 Posted: 09-Sep-11 14:12
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Hello everyone!
I have gone back to dinghy sailing after a short lived affair with windsurfing (fed up with the "rail" effect of not being able to point). Anyway, really enjoying sailing the Buzz but my notions of sail trimming seem to have evaporated...

1- Am I right in thinking that in lightish airs (say 5-10 knots) closing the leech (so applying kicker), but having no cunningham or outhaul tension or mast bend means that the sail will curl and "hold" more power and maintain speed in the lulls? Conversely, in the same conditions, with no kicker on, it looks like it's opening at the top and therefore retaining less power? Does this make sense?
I do realise that a flat sail means less power in strong winds, but I am always in two minds about this in light winds...

2- In gutsy conditions (say average 10 knots, with 20 knots gusts, on a lake), do you tune your boat for the gusts or for the lulls?

Otherwise really enjoying the boat! Wish I could join you in training events and regattas but I am based in South Brittany so it's a long way to come up!

Yann
 
IanS Buzz 919 Posted: 15-Sep-11 16:34
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Hi Yann,

1. Leech tension is vital for power and pointing ability in all winds. The key is to keep the top tell tale flying but on the edge of a stall - so you will see it collapse quite often. I prefer to use the mainsheet to adjust the leech tension, using kicker as the wind increases. In lulls you may find that you need to ease the sheet slightly to prevent the sail stalling and then increase the tension again in the gusts.

2. I think the general rule about gusts and lulls is rig for the lulls. It is always better to be overpowered than underpowered.

Hope this helps.

Ian (Buzz 919)

[Edited by IanS Buzz 919 on 15-Sep-11 16:34]
 
Ian 23 Posted: 02-Nov-11 20:35
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Thanks for that!
I have been trying to put your advice into practice, it does help, thanks a lot!
I guess it makes sense to ease the mainsheet in the lulls a bit, before pulling in again in the gust because the angle of the apparent wind changes in favour of the real wind, is that right? Anyway, it works in these conditions...
On the topic of tell tales, mine are stuck to the leech after the first capsize, does anyone know a way to avoid that (other than not capsizing!) or does any one know of another sign to bear in mind for leech tension?
Speaking of tell tales, I try to keep the jib ones parallel, but with the jib sheet pulled right in and the main block to block, that gives me quite poor pointing. Should I try to point more and let the inside tell tale fly up a bit?
Thanks in advance!
Yann
 
IanS Buzz 919 Posted: 05-Dec-11 15:09
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You can use a spray to stop the tell tales sticking. McClube Sailcote is good - if you can get it over there- but is expensive. I know others use waterproofing spray e.g. Fabsil. You can also use the spray on the spinnaker to make it easier to get in and out of the chute.

If the tell tales do get stuck a good guide is to make sure the top batten is in line with the boom.

As for the jib don't pinch - it will slow you down and make you point even lower.

Ian
 

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