Photo 4

Photos 3 and 4 Dynema led forward then another 2:1 from kicker fitting and back to cleats. Gives 4:1 and you are pulling towards you if doing on the water ( boom elastic holds boom ). I use 5mm control line. It slipped with 4mm

Photo 2. Boom end. 3mm dynema passed under boom to spread load. Boom end is held up by halyard in this photo.

Used the flattener on Wednesday, 20 gusting 24. Allowed me to race until breaking waves were lifting me off the side deck on the reach. Decided to stop at that point. Photo 1 7cm wire strop at kicking strap take off. (Could be Dynes's)

Yes, but not difficult to set up a system to allow release or to put on. Beware of stretch as quite large loads. Also kicker may need short strop at base or at boom end unless you have a lot of capacity in your control lines. I'll take some photos on Wednesday evening and post them.

Hi. I'm very pleased with my flattener (74 kg with Zeta mast). Used in in 15 mph and above. Gybing much easier because boom 6 inches higher as with 2 hip replacements I find the boom too low. Used a lot at nationals. I thought I lost a little on the reaches. The runs seem little different. I'm probably slightly faster upwind and can tack with kicker on. There is a photo of me (5889) in the latest interactive report on the nationals, difficult to see any difference. It will certainly keep me in the solo a few years longer. I have low cost external system. It is possible to put on whilst on the water but really need a rib to hold you ( can't be done during a race). Easy to release if wind drops.