cascading kicker sytstem

[piperdog7]

hello, ive an old flying fifteen and im trying to setup a 16:1 cascade system, when you hoist the mainsail , should the kicker be a bit tight so you have to push down the boom a bit ( maybe-3-4 inches ) to connect the kicker or should it be slack so you dont have to push down the boom, thanks

 

[Chiara’s slave]

hello, ive an old flying fifteen and im trying to setup a 16:1 cascade system, when you hoist the mainsail , should the kicker be a bit tight so you have to push down the boom a bit ( maybe-3-4 inches ) to connect the kicker or should it be slack so you dont have to push down the boom, thanks

The kicker has to be able to be completely slackened off for light winds, so best if you can connect it without pushing the boom down.

 

[oldbloke]

Chiara is correct.
Although splices for the ropes look neat, knots allow you to adjust the lengths until you get it right, it's worth using dyneema ,especially for the highest load strands, less important, but nice, for the control line.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

Chiara is correct.
Although splices for the ropes look neat, knots allow you to adjust the lengths until you get it right, it's worth using dyneema ,especially for the highest load strands, less important, but nice, for the control line.

Knots are a good plan, as you say, to get it arranged initially. A cascade is a great way to rig your kicker (mine is on my XOD), but it’s going to be trial and error to get the lengths of each part right. Dyneema is pretty much essential for everything except the part you handle, and even there, I would.