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Easing the cunningham

Marc, Thanks very much for the clarification. Indeed, I had misunderstood Michael, but now I get it. Makes perfect sense. (And thanks to Michael for the original suggestion.)

09/08/2020 02:06:00
John 3015
Posts: 3

It's not shockcord to take up the slack on deck, but shockcord to lift up the upper blocks of the downhaul when eased. Best way is to rig it is to have the shockcord coming from the upper mast section "mushroom" then attached to the upper downhaul blocks (preferably with a simple hook). Really helps!

Marc Jacobi

08/08/2020 03:39:00
heymatey
Posts: 39

Michael, Yes, I do have an elastic on the deck to take up slack in the cunningham.

Peter, Very useful advice. Thanks. I'll give that a try next time I'm on the water - very likely in the next day or two.

07/08/2020 22:03:00
John 3015
Posts: 3

Hi John,
Congratulations on your new RS Aero and welcome to the fleet!

If you ease the cunningham (downhaul) whilst the kicker (vang) is still tight then the sail wont move up the mast track beyond the initial release of tension in the sail luff. As you then release the kicker the mast straightens and the cunningham then moves up the mast.

Having elastic pulling the cunningham block upwards will make the line run out ready for the subsequent kicker release. Also the elasticated luff of the sail helps a little. Alternatively a little hand technique at the cleat will uncleat the rope, pull slack through and drop that slack on the deck, ready for the kicker release (just before the bear away) to make it travel up.

07/08/2020 18:19:00
Posts: 0

Do you use an elastic to ease the cunningham?

07/08/2020 06:46:00
mheber
Posts: 76

There are wind conditions it makes sense to ease the cunningham as one changes direction from upwind to off-the-wind. But when I release the cunningham line from the cleat, the sail’s luff does not ease. The line is slack and the luff of the sail is just as tight as it had been. It’s as if there is enough friction between the bolt rope and mast track to hold the sail’s luff in place. Any suggestions?

(I’m new to my RS Aero.)

07/08/2020 01:36:00
John 3015
Posts: 3

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Easing the cunningham

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