Laser XD Rigging the Cunningham

Here is how to rig the cunningham on a laser sailboat

Laser Cunningham Setup 1 Laser Cunningham Tack View Laser Cunningham Port View Laser Deck Cleat Rigged

Cunningham Overview

The cunningham is attached to the tack of the sail and is used to tension the sails luff and move the draft of the sail forward. Moving the draft forward will help a sailboat accelerate quicker which is especially needed in heavy winds with chop or swell. In flat water the draft should be at about 45% for maximum power. The cunningham is an essential control on the laser sailboat. By rigging the cunningham for efficient opperation you can quickly and easily change the shape of the sail. The cunningham should be attached on starboard so that it is easily reachable at the start of a race. You want to put as little effort as possible into setting the control lines and maximum effort into sailing fast.

Cunningham Setup

The cunningham should be setup on starboard so that you can grab it easily at the start. First, clip the vang onto the mast and have the single becket block attached to the vang. Next, attach a line with a small bowline next to the becket on the vang and run it up to the tack. Tie a small bowline in the other end. Attach the d-shackle to the bowline and double block near the tack. Tie a bowline to the becket on the becket block and run the line through the block so that it runs freely. If there are tangles it will create friction and defeat the point of a pulley system, running the line freely here is important. Next, run the end of the line through the deck block and cleat. It is important that you don't have too much excess line because in heavy air it will tend to get tangled around anything that it can. Having a little extra to tie a handle is alright since it will make the sheet easier to grip.