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Reference > Cunninghams
Cunninghams are used to tension the luff of the mainsail or genoa without adjusting the halyard. Luff tension affects draft position and the fullness of the sail. Cunninghams should be led to the crew so they can be adjusted frequently as wind speed changes.
Typical boat length:
Small Boat: 22' - 28' (6.7 - 8.5 m)
Midrange: 29' - 34' (8.8 - 10.4m)
Big Boat: 35' - 42' (10.7 - 12.8m)
| Diagram Ref. | Description | Small Boat Part No. | Midrange Part No. | Big Boat Part No. |
| System 1 | ||||
| A | Fiddle | 244/ 2655 | 2655 | 2655/ 2621 |
| Â | Fiddle | 245/ 2658 | 2658 | 2658/ 2624 |
| System 2 | ||||
| A | Single | 348/ 351/ 352 | 2650/ 2651/ 2659 | — |
| Â | Stand-up | 349 | 2652 | — |
| Ñ | Cheek | 350 | 2644 | — |
| D | Cam cleat | 358/389 | 389/357 | — |
| System 3 | ||||
| A | Single | 348/ 2656 | — | — |
| Â | Downhaul | 359 | — | — |
| System 4 | ||||
| A | Single | 348/351 | 2650/ 2651 | 2607 |
| Â | Cheek | 350 | 2644 | 2606 |
| Ñ | Cam cleat | 338/ 365 | 365/ 150 | 150 |
| D | Bullseye | 339 | 339/ 237 | 237 |
1. The most basic cunningham is a self-cleating 4:1 tackle positioned at the mastbase. |
2. This simple system leads aft to the cockpit. |
3. This cunningham system is popular on smaller beach cats—it adjusts from the trapeze on either tack and rigs and unrigs easily. |
4. Many small keelboats like J/24s use a genoa cunningham to adjust draft from the weather rail. |
Harken Deck Specs | Traveler | Mainsheet | Genoa Lead Car | Boom Vangs | Outhauls Systems | Cunninghams | Spinnaker | Spinnaker Pole Handling | Mastbase & Cabin Top | Backstay Adjusters | Mainsail Reefing | Self-Tracking Jibs /Staysails | Metric Conversions /Drilling Guide | Rigging Breaking Strengths | Loading Formulas | Ball Bearings | Maintenance