Kicking strap

[Beattie]

I wonder if anyone has any information on kicking straps on small kelboat/folkboats?

I have a one north east coast design 20ft boat that we are busy restoring (almost finished!) I notice there is no kicking strap or attachment points for one. Is this normal in this type of boat?

Also is it safe or should I consider adding one?

Any thoughts, comments, tips etc. welcome

 

[Gordonmc]

I don't have a kicking strap.
The theory is that the weight of a wooden spar (boom) will keep the sail down. On a run I normally use a preventer which doubles as a down-haul.
The lack of a KS also makes roller reefing the main a lot more simple as there's no need for a boom-claw.
I would have a go without and see how you get on before getting the folding stuff out.

 

[Beattie]

Ah!
forgot to mention - the original wood mast and boom have been replaced (before We had her) with an aluminium one

I'll still give it a go first though. Thanks

 

[dunedin]

Kicking strap has a major influence on sail set - if at all possible get one fitted

 

[Lakesailor]

Just pull down on the end of the boom (if you can reach it) to see how much better the sail sets. If you've got tell-tales on the leech you can easily see how much it improves.
It also helps flatten the sail and move the Centre of Effort forwards as it gets breezier.

 

[trouville]

No kicking strap!! Unthinkable not to mention you can clip on an anti jibe device!!

 

[Beattie]

Thanks for all the comments

Next question
what would be the best way to attach one? Where and how?
Would a ring attached to the boom and some sort of cleat on the front part of the coach roof do?

 

[JesseLoynes]

I don't know what you'll be using in particular, but most kickers tend to be from 4:1 up to even 16:1. Basically, a whole hod load of force and tension. Therefore the phrase you are looking for is "spread the load".
I guess for attaching to the boom you probably want to look at a continual band, right round it. Just riveting to an aluminium spar is likely to pull out. On the coachroof, you need to bolt through the coachroof and pads underneath, preferably spreading the load over the coachroof beams/bearers.

As a guide, if you imagine that you pull reasonably hard on a kicker to get tension, and a gust does even more so, you're likely to exert maybe equivalentt of 50 kilos force. If you have a 1:6 purchase on the kicking strap, then you're well on your to a third of a ton. Hence spread the load! All just something that may be worth bearing in mind.
Have fun!

 

[Roach1948]

In Brion Toss' book "The Rigging Handbook" he mentions that "To start with, it must attach to the boom atleast 25% of the boom's length aft of the gooseneck in order to have the downward pull somewhere near the upward pull that is focused on the sail's centre of effort"

He goes onto say that you will need around 45 degree angle to achieve this and that often a "high cabin top, low gooseneck or extra long boom will conspire to make a low vanging angle".

He also warns of the extra forces being exerted on the boom and one should calculate whether the boom can take these forces.