Laser Performance Pico Rigging Manual - page 6
11. Fitting the rudder Assembly
Warning: Th
e split ring must be used to secure the rudder assembly to prevent
it from falling off during a capsize. Also, the rudder retaining clip should be
adjusted so that the stock cannot be removed without depressing the clip
by hand.
(fi gure 32a)
Fit the rudder assembly on the transom
rudder fi tting.
Slide the tiller extension universal joint into the housing on
the end of the tiller. Secure the captive over plate on top to the
universal joint housing. (fi gure 33a) (fi gure 33b)
Split ring
Rudder
retaining
clip
Wing nut
12. Fitting the Daggerboard
13. Reefi ng your Pico
In strong winds, or if you are unsure whether
you can cope with the conditions, it is always
best to reef the sail down to reduce its area.
1. Drop the jib if fi tted and stow the jib
halyard rope tails in the pocket by the tack of
the mainsail. Your Pico cannot be sailed if it is
reefed with the jib up.
(fi gure 39)
2. Slacken the kicking strap and unclip the
large kicker block from the lower mast.
(fi gure 40)
3. Rotate the mast in either direction by turning
the mast below the gooseneck. Th
is will roll the
sail around the mast, thus reducing the sail area.
Th
is is reefi ng.
(fi gure 41)
4. Reattach the kicking strap, but leave it loose.
5. Reattach the clew outhaul and pull it tight.
(fi gure 42)
6. Retighten the kicking strap.
Th
read the daggerboard shockcord through the
small hole in the top front corner of the dagger-
board. Put the 2 remaining small englefi eld clips
on either end of the shockcord and secure each end
with a knot. When you put the board into its slot,
you can then loop the shockcord retaining line
round the base of the mast and clip it together.
(fi gure 38)
fi gure 33a
fi gure 33b
fi gure 32a
fi gure 38
fi gure 40
fi gure 41
fi gure 39
fi gure 42
Warning: Th
e kick up system is a safety feature in
case you run aground accidentally. Under normal
circumstances the rudder should be lifted before
approaching the beach or slipway.
Operating instructions for Pico rudder assembly
Th
e Pico rudder assembly has a simple downhaul system with a quick release
cleat that will release if you run aground. To lower the rudder, slacken the
wing nut, pull the down haul line until the rudder blade is fully down,
position the down haul line in the cleat and fi nally retighten the wing nut.
(fi gure 34)
When launching and recovering, the rudder blade can be lifted above
the transom line and secured in position by lifting the blade by hand
and tightening the wing nut.
(fi gure 35)
When adjusting the kick-up cleat mechanism on your Pico rudder, we
strongly recommend that you set the cam at the minimum setting
and progressively increase it to suit your experience and style of sailing.
If racing and sailing in strong winds you will want to set the kick–up load
higher. If recreational sailing off the beach you will want to set the kick-up
much lower.
Warning: Running aground with the kick-up set incorrectly could damage you rudder
and the hull.
Th
e auto-release cleat provides the neatest and best solution to the
problem of how to lock-down a rudder blade yet allow it to fl ip-up if it
hits the bottom or a solid obstacle in the water. Th
e cleat holds ropes
securely, yet will release them immediately when the cleat is overloaded.
Once tripped, it can be easily reset in seconds by just pushing the cleat
back down into its base. (fi gure 36)
Wing nut
fi gure 35
fi gure 36
fi gure 34
Th
e cleat is also fi tted with an adjustable cam so
that the release tension can be set to suit the boat
and local conditions. Th
e cam is adjusted until
the rudder blade is held down reliably under
maximum sailing conditions. Th
e cleat will
then be set so that the least strain is put on
the rudder if it hits an obstacle.
Setting the release load
1. Test release load with “cam” at minimum
setting.
2. To increase load use a screwdriver to rotate
“cam” towards maximum. (fi gure 37)
Warning: To avoid damaging equipment, make small
adjustments and test each increase. Tests show that
release loads of 240 kg (530 lbs) are possible with the cam
at “maximum” setting. Smaller or worn ropes release at
higher loads than larger new ropes.
fi gure 37