Downhail tools for race sails with heavy tension

> 10 years ago
Reply
Register to post, see what you've read, and subscribe to topics.
Scotty Mac
Scotty Mac
SA
2060 posts
SA, 2060 posts
8 Aug 2011 10:17am
Nearly busted a cheap screw drive getting my old race sail rigged.

Anyone got any nifty ideas to get this job done without slipping a disk?
raffaeu
raffaeu
195 posts
195 posts
8 Aug 2011 8:55am
I just ordered a downhaul pulley, today at the beach one windsurfer told me that is a great tool. It is available for euro pin and us pin either.
ka43
ka43
NSW
3101 posts
NSW, 3101 posts
8 Aug 2011 1:59pm
Get yourself an old boom, cut a section out around 30cm.
Drill a decent size hole right through just off centre or big enough to easily slide your downhaul rope through.
get a small cleat (Clamcleat) from ship chandlers or windsurfing shop, drill 2 holes approx 8-10cm from hole for rope using the cleats holes as a guide. Pop rivet cleat onto section of boom.
When downhauling thread your line through hole and then cleat off. You can throw in a couple of half hitches before you cleat off if needed for added security of punching yourself in the head if rope slips .
Most important, use your leg muscles and push the rig away from you thus saving your back.
Or just buy a rig winch
seanhogan
seanhogan
QLD
3424 posts
QLD, 3424 posts
8 Aug 2011 2:21pm
Those come from the gun catalog, 16 euros for the screwdriver one






Kimba
Kimba
SA
459 posts
SA, 459 posts
8 Aug 2011 2:08pm
The only way to Haul Big Loads.



Before one of these I needed a winch on race sails 7.8 and above, not anymore.

Comes with Formuline as standard and now available in carbon also.

http://www.neilpryde.com/rigs/extension/extensions-overview.html
jimbob SA
jimbob SA
SA
1000 posts
SA, 1000 posts
8 Aug 2011 2:18pm
Scotty you need to get some formuline rope , I had the same issue with my old prydes the difference is amazing.
race sail ? only ever seen you on wave gear, you looking at doing some speed on the long weekend as well.
WindmanV
WindmanV
VIC
819 posts
VIC, 819 posts
8 Aug 2011 5:13pm
Hello, Scotty,

Irrespective of the line used, when you downhaul using brute force you are compressing your spine, so you need to be careful.

Chinook offer these :http://www.chinooksailing.com/products/index.php?cPath=6_66&osCsid=8ntrnnmf89a5td0d9q0evmihk3, available from any windsurf shop that sells Chinook products. Some of my friends even use them to tension wave sails.

Having a daughter who has chronic back problems has made me a bit more aware of how debilitating an on-going back problem can be.

Hope this helps.
Zachery
Zachery
597 posts
597 posts
8 Aug 2011 3:35pm
Got several of those winch handle thingys free with some gear from glasscraft auction they are just rusting in the shed - pm me if u want them scotty Maris can pick them u next time he is over
barn
barn
WA
2960 posts
WA, 2960 posts
8 Aug 2011 4:25pm
ka43 said...

Get yourself an old boom, cut a section out around 30cm.
Drill a decent size hole right through just off centre or big enough to easily slide your downhaul rope through.
get a small cleat (Clamcleat) from ship chandlers or windsurfing shop, drill 2 holes approx 8-10cm from hole for rope using the cleats holes as a guide. Pop rivet cleat onto section of boom.
When downhauling thread your line through hole and then cleat off. You can throw in a couple of half hitches before you cleat off if needed for added security of punching yourself in the head if rope slips .

Most important, use your leg muscles and push the rig away from you thus saving your back.
Or just buy a rig winch


And Learn to tie a decent knot..
ikw777
ikw777
QLD
2995 posts
QLD, 2995 posts
8 Aug 2011 6:58pm
Use the Dave Ezzy knot.

Jeez, this topic comes 'round every six weeks or so.
Jethrow
Jethrow
NSW
1282 posts
NSW, 1282 posts
8 Aug 2011 7:05pm
I got one of these and it's been good for formula sail downhauling

http://www.surfsailaustralia.com.au/showProduct/Windsurfing/Windsurfing+Accessories/cl262/Clamcleat+Power+Grip+No+2

Under $30 and two handed so you get a balanced pull, I'd also advise pushing with you feet...
izaak
izaak
TAS
2013 posts
TAS, 2013 posts
8 Aug 2011 7:35pm
I have both the NP MXT and North Power XT and really both easy to downhaul, seeing as the north is a ratchet and the mxt i use by pulling power on my RSR EVO's.
nick0
nick0
NSW
510 posts
NSW, 510 posts
8 Aug 2011 7:43pm
a bowline and ya harness hook
brad1
brad1
QLD
232 posts
QLD, 232 posts
8 Aug 2011 8:10pm
+1^ and use silicone spray on the pulleys
Scotty Mac
Scotty Mac
SA
2060 posts
SA, 2060 posts
8 Aug 2011 8:09pm
Thanks for the tips, rekon i can solve it with a couple of those.
Cheers.

Yep Jimbob,
Might make a few runs on the lake on the oct weekend if the surf is not up.
Don't be expecting any fast times but.......me and my gear are all pre this century
Scotty Mac
Scotty Mac
SA
2060 posts
SA, 2060 posts
8 Aug 2011 8:24pm
Rekon the rig winch is the go.
Cheers.
Bondalucci
Bondalucci
VIC
1580 posts
VIC, 1580 posts
8 Aug 2011 9:35pm
I have used one of these North Power XT's for the last 18 months, from 7.5 Koncept down to 4.2 Blade.

I still have my regular extensions, with down haul tools etc, but never ever use them anymore.

The XT is awesome. I often add and take off downhaul tension in seconds, on the water. It's fantastic.



North have ironed out the bugs by using a stronger spring pin that holds the rope against the wheel. Mine never slips and I use formuline rather than the "North Rope" they say you must use.

Great piece of windsurfing stuff.




Windxtasy
Windxtasy
WA
4019 posts
WA, 4019 posts
8 Aug 2011 7:43pm
I love my XT also.
They have some idiosyncrasies that take a bit of getting used to, but once you get to know your XT it's great.
Scotty Mac
Scotty Mac
SA
2060 posts
SA, 2060 posts
8 Aug 2011 9:26pm
Yer that north extension looks flash.
jack5566
jack5566
131 posts
131 posts
8 Aug 2011 8:12pm
It maybe a bit late but the obvious answer may be buy a better screw drive
elmo
elmo
WA
8890 posts
WA, 8890 posts
8 Aug 2011 8:50pm
Kimba said...

The only way to Haul Big Loads.



Before one of these I needed a winch on race sails 7.8 and above, not anymore.

Comes with Formuline as standard and now available in carbon also.

http://www.neilpryde.com/rigs/extension/extensions-overview.html


+1

Used to use the North system (even had a good side business servicing them) but haven't looked back since going the MXT.

Down haul race sails easily just with a standard hand cleat
Bondalucci
Bondalucci
VIC
1580 posts
VIC, 1580 posts
8 Aug 2011 11:00pm
Windxtasy said...

I love my XT also.
They have some idiosyncrasies that take a bit of getting used to, but once you get to know your XT it's great.


Very true.
They've always worked great on the Pryde downhaul pulley blocks, and now
I've riveted an alloy cleat to the other side of the extension so I can use my severne sails (perpendicular pulley block direction) with the downhaul rope feeding perfectly.
(no crossing)

-I also use my skinny masts inside the XT extension. -very versatile!

jimbob SA
jimbob SA
SA
1000 posts
SA, 1000 posts
9 Aug 2011 2:44pm
Scotty you will be surprised the speeds the old 90's slalom boards still do, I pull out an old torquay 9'2 occasionaly and have done 37's a few times on it but it only has a powerbox so can't run my best fins in it plus it scares th crap out of me, I can lend you a few good tuttle fins to try they really make a difference,
what board do you still have can't remember if you had windtech or strappers back then but I think I remember you riding cavemans from the guy at north haven marina.
the windtechs where so light way ahead of there time.
Scotty Mac
Scotty Mac
SA
2060 posts
SA, 2060 posts
9 Aug 2011 7:40pm
Caveman's Jimbob,
And a couple of old naish stealths which are great cos they rig on my RDM wave masts. Zachery going to help me out with a tool, what a champ.

Yer good point on the screw driver but grabbed what I had close, good ones were locked in the car.

Enjoyed it, going to crack it out again.
wespyyl
wespyyl
WA
118 posts
WA, 118 posts
16 Aug 2011 5:02pm
Learn to tie a bowline.

Then you can use just about anything that's round, or your harness hook

www.apparent-wind.com/knots/bowline/
Rob11
Rob11
240 posts
240 posts
16 Aug 2011 5:27pm
Scotty Mac said...

Nearly busted a cheap screw drive getting my old race sail rigged.

Anyone got any nifty ideas to get this job done without slipping a disk?


Get yourself a decent, recent race sail that does not require mammoth strength to downhaul...
Ben Severne
Ben Severne
WA
194 posts
WA, 194 posts
16 Aug 2011 6:03pm
Rob11 said...

Get yourself a decent, recent race sail that does not require mammoth strength to downhaul...


I think the decent race sails DO require a bit of downhaul.... Skin tension is a major part of what makes them stable.

Don't blow your back out - use a downhaul winch. Or get someone else to downhaul your sail!
keef
keef
NSW
2016 posts
NSW, 2016 posts
16 Aug 2011 10:29pm
izaak said...

I have both the NP MXT and North Power XT and really both easy to downhaul, seeing as the north is a ratchet and the mxt i use by pulling power on my RSR EVO's.


mxt extentions are good but prone to cracking when using a winch, if you find your rig constantly detaching from your board
its a crack in the mxt, heres 2 cups that have been filled in to avoid the cracking, one on the left is filled with carbon fiber and the one on the right is nead-it
gregc
gregc
VIC
1299 posts
VIC, 1299 posts
16 Aug 2011 11:41pm
Keef I thought you would just pump up your guns and rip that downhaul on destroying all mast bases regardless of how reinforced they were lol
moondo
moondo
VIC
134 posts
VIC, 134 posts
16 Aug 2011 11:48pm
Hi Scotty, Given that my back has been out of action since April due to a muscular problem, I have had heaps of time to come up with the best way for me to downhaul my sails with the least amount of effort. Here is what I came up with. An electric winch (12 volt) with a 3m cable which will plug into my accessory socket in the car or trailer. It has a momentary toggle switch on it for more or less tension, suits any single pin configuration and just needs the last piece which fits onto the key way to complete it. Some people call me a lazy bastard but I think it is will make my day much easier. I often rig multiple sails due to giving lessons and think this will save lots of effort.

Alternativly I have always used my old harness hook in the past. Cheers Moondo


madventure
madventure
VIC
10 posts
VIC, 10 posts
17 Aug 2011 7:30am
Simo my man,
that machine has just confirmed that you are one lazy mother f*cker.

although.. if you were to attach the base to the opposite side, and ran a couple of solar panels off your helmet, you could have flick of the switch, foot operated, downhaul during a run.

Rich.
Please Register, or first...
Topics Subscribe Reply

Return To Classic site 😭
Or... let us know if a problem, so we can tweak! 😅