Laser Performance Pico, Rigging Manual

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 your rudder and the hull.

The auto-release cleat provides the neatest and 
best solution to the problem of how to lock-down 
a rudder blade yet allow it to flip up if it hits 
the bottom or a solid obstacle in the water. The 
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. 
The cleat is also fitted with an adjustable cam so 
that the release tension can be set to suit the boat 
and local conditions. The cam is adjusted until the 
rudder blade is held down reliably under maximum 
sailing conditions. The 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. 

Warning:

 To avoid damaging equipment, make small adjust-

ments and test each increase. Tests show that release loads of 
240kg (530lbs) are possible with the cam at “maximum” setting. 
Smaller or worn ropes release at higher loads than larger new 
ropes.