Rigging an Old Style Laser 6:1 Kicker
For those of us who have been using the new 15:1 kicker for sometime - we may perhaps think that everyone has one. Well interestingly, a Gold medal was won using the old style system in recent 15:1 history. Robert Scheidt I am sure was not restricted by a club rule that many of our clubs sailors have instigated - the less than £300 a boat rule. Well in case you have forgotten - or perhaps you fancy being a purist and are looking for a few grams of weight saving - here is our information sheet on how it should be done, together with the items you will need.





Ensure that as the rope tail comes out from the cheek you use it to lock the 'round the block' part of the line.
From this point adjustments to the length of the kicker (max off position is when the block is at the top of the key block) are easily made:
Now with the 3:1 locked, take the free tail of the line and pass it through the micro block at the top of the kicker...
...then down to the jammer...
Check the overall length of the kicker. We measure from the top of the Kicker Key to the pin on the swivel/base and set all our vangs at 63cm. This should be a basic setting that can be tensioned or loosened for windy and light settings. Note that the 63cm is the maximum off it should be able to go off - at this point, the little block is at the top of the key block.
Now that the length is set you can start a rope handle. We do this by making a quick release loop, and then passing another loop through it and continue till you have 10 - 12 inches of handle, making sure not to let the tail through the loops till your finished. To finish and secure the handle off pull the rope tail through the last loop.
Finish the handle by tying a bowline to make a loop. You should now have just enough tail left to tie to the centreboard handle - making the control line much easier to find when on the water.

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