Backstay Kickers

Post by **Tim Bosma** » Tue Feb 25, 2003 4:29 pm

We are going to start experimentation with a kicker this spring launch (2nd half of april).
Thanks,

chriscraig99 · Post by **chriscraig99** » Fri May 02, 2003 1:26 pm

We went to the sail maker yesterday to buy a batten to make a backstay kicker/flipper. Mike Boston said that it would not work unless we changed the backstay rules. In order to work you have to have enough slack in the backstay for the kicker to pull the backstay up and away from the roach. The pincher system will not allow that. He said the Tarten Ten class approved kickers last year, but nobody has been able to make them work because they have the same backstay rules. He suggested keeping the cable down to the bridal, then allowing a cascading/synthetic system below that.

Post by **Tom Elsen** » Sat May 03, 2003 10:55 pm

Hey Chris
The batten kicker works just fine for Songbird #469. I think Michael is right if his comment was intended to mean that 'A kicker would work better if you had a non-pinch type backstay'. But it works fine none the less.

Post by **Tim Bosma** » Mon May 05, 2003 9:19 am

We are trying to work out the minimum size for a backstay kicker. What size batten did you use, Tom?

Post by **Tom Elsen** » Mon May 05, 2003 3:55 pm

Hey Tim
Songbird isn't my boat. Sorry. But it looks like a very stiff 1" batten, about 2 - 2 1/2 feet long.

Coldduck · Post by **Coldduck** » Tue Jul 08, 2003 11:28 am

One solution could be to use a fiberglass limb from a bow and arrow. The limbs are made for a significant amount of bend and come in different weights for more or less pull. It would take some shopping to find the right piece but it should have the desired attributes-flexible, light, won't fatigue or corrode.

Coldduck "100"

Spence Reid · Post by **Spence Reid** » Tue Jul 08, 2003 12:22 pm

I like the idea of the bow limb, but am concerned about the consequences of boring holes at both ends in this or other material, such as a batten. I would think that the holes and associated fittings would focus the forces involved, and result in fatigue, and sudden splitting of the material. It would seem prudent to rig a short section of wire from the masthead to the upper end of the backstay, a little longer than the kicker, to act as a safety tether. Is anyone rigging kickers in a manner which alleviates this concern?

Tom Line · Post by **Tom Line** » Thu Jul 24, 2003 11:18 am

I think you may be mistaken as to how a backstay kicker works.

The backstay is not connected to the kicker. It travels through the kicker and then is attached to the mast itself.

Much the same way a spinnaker pole is simply used to push the guy out, a kicker holds the backstay away from the rear of the main in lighter air when you don't have the backstay cranked on.

There is no need for a tether, because if the kicker should shear off the mast, the backstay is still connected TO the mast.

Spence Reid · Post by **Spence Reid** » Mon Jul 28, 2003 10:39 am

Thank you for that explanation. I've really had no concept of how these things work.

Steve Bowen · Post by **Steve Bowen** » Fri Aug 15, 2003 3:38 pm

Fleck's concern is valid. My sailmaker tells me the kicker will only work if I switch to a cascade purchase backstay - you cannot generate enough slack with the pinch type to pull the line clear of the sail, or if you can, there's not any purchase left to bend the mast with the pincher.

Post by **Tom Elsen** » Sat Aug 16, 2003 11:03 pm

Again, just FYI, both a cascade backstay (at least as it is commonly employed) and/or anything except the class rules-prescribed wire rigging would absolutely not be legal for class racing. You would also be obliged to report such a rigging change to your local PHRF board. One design is one design.

S2 7.9 Meter Class Association

Backstay Kickers

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