Forums > Windsurfing General

Biginner's question, why can't I get sail flat?

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Created by Motsbane > 9 months ago, 6 Jun 2021
Motsbane
QLD, 179 posts
6 Jun 2021 7:38AM
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Got second hand stuff.
Frustrating, can't get the sail flat, as below pictures show:

Wondering why?

Thanks for answering and comments!


Orange Whip
QLD, 1070 posts
6 Jun 2021 7:50AM
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Mate, put this post in the Qld forums. I'm sure you will find a helpful experienced sailor living nearby that will offer to meet up and show you how to rig your sail correctly.

Motsbane
QLD, 179 posts
6 Jun 2021 8:11AM
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Hi Orange, moved to QLD.
Thanks.

Subsonic
WA, 3365 posts
6 Jun 2021 6:40AM
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for sure get someone on the beach to help you out, but more downhaul is what you need, first and foremost.

Get yerself a downhaul tool if its too hard to pull on.

Mr Milk
NSW, 3115 posts
6 Jun 2021 10:05AM
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Plus the sail isn't meant to be flat.

decrepit
WA, 12776 posts
6 Jun 2021 8:47AM
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yep, a flat sail doesn't work very well, it needs "draft" typically for low wind conditions, it will touch the boom when you put your weight on it.
What your sail lacks, is smooth! You need to get all those wrinkles out.
As said downhaul is the answer. What will help you is a 3 roller pulley hooked in to that bottom hole, 3 strands of rope through the same hole will bind on each other. I Haven't been able to get enough downhaul with my bare hands for over 20 years. A simple handle with cleat may be good enough, but I now need a crank. depends on the sail, mast combination, how much tension is required.


Manuel7
1326 posts
6 Jun 2021 11:06AM
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You need to pull down way more until the mast bends and the top of the sail wrinkles. Check mast luff length written on the sail, that's mast length + extension length pulled in all the way.

Motsbane
QLD, 179 posts
6 Jun 2021 3:58PM
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Select to expand quote
Subsonic said..
for sure get someone on the beach to help you out, but more downhaul is what you need, first and foremost.

Get yerself a downhaul tool if its too hard to pull on.


Solved, I do need a tool not just hands.
Thanks!

Motsbane
QLD, 179 posts
6 Jun 2021 3:59PM
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Select to expand quote
Manuel7 said..
You need to pull down way more until the mast bends and the top of the sail wrinkles. Check mast luff length written on the sail, that's mast length + extension length pulled in all the way.


Hi Manuel7, solved like you said.
I was using my hands, not enough.
Thank you!

Motsbane
QLD, 179 posts
6 Jun 2021 4:00PM
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Select to expand quote
decrepit said..
yep, a flat sail doesn't work very well, it needs "draft" typically for low wind conditions, it will touch the boom when you put your weight on it.
What your sail lacks, is smooth! You need to get all those wrinkles out.
As said downhaul is the answer. What will help you is a 3 roller pulley hooked in to that bottom hole, 3 strands of rope through the same hole will bind on each other. I Haven't been able to get enough downhaul with my bare hands for over 20 years. A simple handle with cleat may be good enough, but I now need a crank. depends on the sail, mast combination, how much tension is required.



Hi decrepit, you are right.
I got it by tool.
Thanks!

Motsbane
QLD, 179 posts
6 Jun 2021 4:01PM
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Select to expand quote
Subsonic said..
for sure get someone on the beach to help you out, but more downhaul is what you need, first and foremost.

Get yerself a downhaul tool if its too hard to pull on.


Thank you. I can't afford anyone go to meet me for me.

olskool
QLD, 2459 posts
6 Jun 2021 4:37PM
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Select to expand quote
Motsbane said..

Subsonic said..
for sure get someone on the beach to help you out, but more downhaul is what you need, first and foremost.

Get yerself a downhaul tool if its too hard to pull on.



Thank you. I can't afford anyone go to meet me for me.


Mots, where do you sail normally? I'm sure someone could help rig.

Imax1
QLD, 4926 posts
6 Jun 2021 7:23PM
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That boom looks maxed out . The sail needs six inches more downhaul . Then six inches more outhaul .
" Captain she cant take anymore , she's breaking up ".
Looks like the extension has undiscovered adjustment
Last but not least , the bottom batten needs a tug .
All is not lost , If the boom has more in it , it could work.
ps , my two main advices at this stage is , 1 , replace the rubber joint that connects to the board and 2 , only onshore winds .
Its awesome and worth it
pps , for learning you need a whopper of a board . The blue board in your pics is way too small for now .

Motsbane
QLD, 179 posts
6 Jun 2021 9:21PM
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Select to expand quote
olskool said..

Motsbane said..


Subsonic said..
for sure get someone on the beach to help you out, but more downhaul is what you need, first and foremost.

Get yerself a downhaul tool if its too hard to pull on.




Thank you. I can't afford anyone go to meet me for me.



Mots, where do you sail normally? I'm sure someone could help rig.


Hi Olskool,
I stretched both directions with tool and nailed it.
Thank you!

Paducah
2790 posts
7 Jun 2021 10:14PM
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Select to expand quote
Motsbane said..

olskool said..


Motsbane said..



Subsonic said..
for sure get someone on the beach to help you out, but more downhaul is what you need, first and foremost.

Get yerself a downhaul tool if its too hard to pull on.





Thank you. I can't afford anyone go to meet me for me.




Mots, where do you sail normally? I'm sure someone could help rig.



Hi Olskool,
I stretched both directions with tool and nailed it.
Thank you!


The outhaul (boom) just needs a little pressure. Common perception from those starting out is that every grommet needs to be pulled hard. Only the downhaul does and as you've found much harder than you anticipated. The outhaul may need to be pulled minimally from zero to 10-15cm. This is after downhauling. A too tight outhaul will make for a twitchy, powerless sail that is difficult to sail.

Post a pic when you get done so we can see where you are.

Carindale
QLD, 331 posts
8 Jun 2021 4:01PM
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Hi there, maybe if your close to a sailboard shop go there and get some professional advice....it might help in the long run if your keen to learn the sport.

Motsbane
QLD, 179 posts
8 Jun 2021 5:22PM
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Select to expand quote
Paducah said..


Motsbane said..



olskool said..




Motsbane said..





Subsonic said..
for sure get someone on the beach to help you out, but more downhaul is what you need, first and foremost.

Get yerself a downhaul tool if its too hard to pull on.







Thank you. I can't afford anyone go to meet me for me.






Mots, where do you sail normally? I'm sure someone could help rig.





Hi Olskool,
I stretched both directions with tool and nailed it.
Thank you!




The outhaul (boom) just needs a little pressure. Common perception from those starting out is that every grommet needs to be pulled hard. Only the downhaul does and as you've found much harder than you anticipated. The outhaul may need to be pulled minimally from zero to 10-15cm. This is after downhauling. A too tight outhaul will make for a twitchy, powerless sail that is difficult to sail.

Post a pic when you get done so we can see where you are.


Best idea.
I extended the extention base, and gave much tension in down side and out side, felt much better. Batens were not fully out though.
I ve just concern, worry about it, sail been broken, or rope broken.
Thank you very much.







Motsbane
QLD, 179 posts
8 Jun 2021 5:24PM
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Select to expand quote
Carindale said..
Hi there, maybe if your close to a sailboard shop go there and get some professional advice....it might help in the long run if your keen to learn the sport.


Hi carindale, I am a job seeker, would not bother business man there. Anyway, thanks!

olskool
QLD, 2459 posts
8 Jun 2021 6:17PM
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decrepit said..
What will help you is a 3 roller pulley.


Do yourself a favour n get one of these. More downhaul needed. But you are closer this time.
I think I remember older RAF sails set with batten above boom about halfway across mast diameter. Top or second batten sets centrally behind mast when downhaul is correct.

olskool
QLD, 2459 posts
8 Jun 2021 6:27PM
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What size mast, boom,sail?
Might have some gear you can have, thatd work better. That sail looks delaminated behind mastsleeve??

Mark _australia
WA, 23480 posts
8 Jun 2021 4:45PM
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Still needs more downhaul. Another 3" or so. But its fine like that for learning (only) in very light winds (only)

Motsbane
QLD, 179 posts
8 Jun 2021 7:41PM
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Select to expand quote
olskool said..
What size mast, boom,sail?
Might have some gear you can have, thatd work better. That sail looks delaminated behind mastsleeve??


Does 3 roller pully suit for my gear?
Mast, two sections, together 4.6m
boom 1.62-1.93m
sail as picture above is 5.5 m
Thanks for advice.

Motsbane
QLD, 179 posts
8 Jun 2021 7:44PM
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Select to expand quote
Mark _australia said..
Still needs more downhaul. Another 3" or so. But its fine like that for learning (only) in very light winds (only)


Hi Mark, can you please tell me, does more downhaul mean faster?
How many knot do you mean light wind?
Thanks.
Really need knowledge. I am sponge.

Mark _australia
WA, 23480 posts
8 Jun 2021 5:52PM
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Downhaul is the rope at the bottom, near the white mast extension
To really get it all the way down, the hook with 3pulleys that was pictured above, is really quite necessary.

(You will then need to make the extension longer of course)

But in the mean time try and pull that bottom down another 3" or so. You want the horizontal crease that is between the boom and lower batten to go away.


Light wind for learning - 5kn. No more than about 8-10kn

Carindale
QLD, 331 posts
8 Jun 2021 7:58PM
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Select to expand quote
Motsbane said..

Carindale said..
Hi there, maybe if your close to a sailboard shop go there and get some professional advice....it might help in the long run if your keen to learn the sport.



Hi carindale, I am a job seeker, would not bother business man there. Anyway, thanks!


Sail looks much better than before. Well done

Motsbane
QLD, 179 posts
8 Jun 2021 8:03PM
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Select to expand quote
Mark _australia said..
Downhaul is the rope at the bottom, near the white mast extension
To really get it all the way down, the hook with 3pulleys that was pictured above, is really quite necessary.

(You will then need to make the extension longer of course)

But in the mean time try and pull that bottom down another 3" or so. You want the horizontal crease that is between the boom and lower batten to go away.


Light wind for learning - 5kn. No more than about 8-10kn


Appreciated! Mark.

Motsbane
QLD, 179 posts
8 Jun 2021 8:03PM
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Select to expand quote
Carindale said..

Motsbane said..


Carindale said..
Hi there, maybe if your close to a sailboard shop go there and get some professional advice....it might help in the long run if your keen to learn the sport.




Hi carindale, I am a job seeker, would not bother business man there. Anyway, thanks!



Sail looks much better than before. Well done


Thank you! Carindale.

decrepit
WA, 12776 posts
8 Jun 2021 6:18PM
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Motsbane said..
>>>> Does 3 roller pully suit for my gear?



Yes, that's why I suggested it!
Not only does it suit it's really meant to be there.
The hook goes through the bottom grommet, then the rope goes through both sets of pulleys, instead of binding on itself as it passes through the lower grommet. It will make full downhaul possible

segler
WA, 1656 posts
8 Jun 2021 11:07PM
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+1 for the grommet pulley. With line going through the grommet, the friction is far too high to get sufficient downhaul. A pulley fixes this.

Imax1
QLD, 4926 posts
9 Jun 2021 7:07AM
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As a side thought , for convince , wouldn't it be be better if we all used a three pulley hook and sails only had a grommet hole . That way , the ropes would be pre threaded , just hook into hole and pull rope ? Add a swivel hook and all ropes will align perfectly with all sails and extensions . Why is this not a thing ?

Imax1
QLD, 4926 posts
9 Jun 2021 7:17AM
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Under closer zoom in , it looks like your coming in sideways on the cleat . Is there a hole above the cleat where you can thread the rope through ?



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"Biginner's question, why can't I get sail flat?" started by Motsbane