Sailing Term Spotlight: The Kicker

 

Sailing Term Spotlight: The Kicker

What it does, why it matters, and how to adjust it
pmrsailing.uk blog

Among the mysterious spaghetti of ropes on a sailing dinghy, one line often gets overlooked by beginners: the kicker (also known as a vang if you're being American about it).

It’s not flashy. It doesn’t hoist a sail or steer the boat. But the kicker plays a crucial role in shaping your sail and controlling power — especially when you're heading downwind.

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What Is the Kicker?

The kicker is the line or tackle system that pulls down on the boom, creating tension on the leech (the back edge) of the sail.

When you're sailing downwind or on a broad reach, the mainsheet goes slack — and without the kicker, the boom lifts up and the sail flaps uselessly. The kicker holds the boom down, keeping the sail flatter, better-shaped, and more powerful.

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Why It Matters

• Downwind Control:
  Stops the boom from lifting, keeping the sail efficient when the mainsheet isn’t doing much.

• Sail Shape:
  Pulling on the kicker tightens the leech and flattens the sail, reducing power in strong winds.
  Easing it off makes the sail fuller, increasing power in lighter winds.

• Preventing Helm Overload:
  A poorly set kicker can cause excessive weather helm (that feeling the boat always wants to turn upwind), which tires the helm out and slows the boat down.

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How to Adjust the Kicker

• Upwind in Light Winds:
  Ease the kicker to allow a fuller sail.

• Upwind in Strong Winds:
  Tighten the kicker to flatten the sail and reduce heeling.

• Downwind:
  Tighten it — this is when it’s most useful. Keeps the sail working when the mainsheet can't.

⚠️ But don’t overdo it! A too-tight kicker can damage your boom or mast fittings. Always ease it off before going upwind or tacking.

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Top Tip for Beginners

Mark your kicker rope with coloured tape at common settings. It helps you return to a known trim quickly when conditions change — or when you're trying to remember what you did right last time.

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Mastering the kicker is one of those small skills that makes a big difference to how your dinghy sails. It’s not just a rope – it’s your downwind secret weapon.

📖 More sailing terms explained here:
https://pmrsailing.uk/sailing-lessons/Sailing-Terms.html