Rigging
Кикер
Также известен как: Оттяжка гика
Определение
Распорка или снасть, соединяющая гик с мачтой или палубой; управляет высотой гика и крученьем грота.
Кикер in practice
The kicker runs from low on the mast to a point part-way along the boom. Pulling it on stops the boom lifting when the mainsheet is eased, which keeps the top of the sail from twisting off and spilling power.
Tighten the kicker on a reach or run in fresh wind, and ease it in very strong gusts so the top of the sail can twist and depower. Some boats use a rigid gas strut that also holds the boom up.
Common questions
- Is a kicker the same as a vang?
- Yes. Kicker is the British term; vang (or boom vang) is the American one.
- Why ease the kicker before a gybe?
- A tight kicker can make the boom dig into the water in a broach, and a rigid boom with no twist slams harder through a gybe. A little slack lets the sail spill wind.