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kicker friction

Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2017 11:41 am
by DangerBoy
My kicker seems to be getting steadily stiffer to pull on. All my blocks are still good and i've checked they don't have any excess play in bearings so they don't bind under load.

Does anyone have any experience of changing the kicker lever? I'm wondering if over time the interface between the lever and that bolt it bear on gets tighter as the lever wears.

Anyone had any other experience and what did they do to sort it

Cheers
Mark

Re: kicker friction

Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2017 11:50 am
by Rick
I suspect you need to renew your gym membership ....

On a serious note the friction on the bearing point must be near zero ... I suspect the blocks that feel OK when you spin them are not OK under load. Try new blocks ...

Re: kicker friction

Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2017 1:32 pm
by DangerBoy
I gym far more than I sail, will try some new blocks then!

Re: kicker friction

Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2017 2:56 pm
by Rick
The other thing that often happens is the block on the tip of the lever can "capsize" so the rope runs off the sheeve ...

I always attach this block with a twisted shackle so it can never happen; i.e. so the rope is running down the centre line ....

Re: kicker friction

Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2017 6:40 pm
by DangerBoy
already done the twisted shackle thing - makes a big difference

Re: kicker friction

Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2017 7:59 pm
by paul manning
I suppose an obvious question is whether the kicker arms cross bolt that the lever hooks onto isn't too tight?

Re: kicker friction

Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2017 12:50 pm
by sandyday
Another one which is obvious ...once you know it...

When I bought my boat the block on the mast step was rigged in the centre, so the rope running upwards rubbed on the gooseneck, which made for a lot of friction. Once I swapped it for a forkhead block offset to the side it was much better.

Re: kicker friction

Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2017 1:34 pm
by Bruce
I find the rope makes a big difference. Marlow variants seem to go hard after a few sails and add more friction to the system. I use Kingfisher Evolution 4mm. I think it copes better with the sharp turning angles in the system.

Your rig setup could also make a big difference. e.g. stiffer mast, means harder to pull on the vang.