look out for me at Kyeemah when we a riging up mate, i need some tunning tips especially with some of new sails I have.

Remember also that the right mast for the sail makes a big difference.. I have a Gaastra pulse, but no Gaastra mast, and it is truely horrible. I've tried NP, Tushingham, and powerex masts in it, but regardless of even completely ridiculous amounts of downhaul (up to 3cm past spec) it is still crap. It pulls like a train sideways, but won't go forwards at all - exactly like a sail with not enough downhaul, only it has plenty.

But you're right - 9 times out of 10 a rubbish feeling sail can be cured by more downhaul.

Even just pointing out the rigging notes on the sail and explaining how to measure the correct luff length can make a big difference to someone who's struggling. At least by pointing out the manufacturers instructions, you're not just some random w@nker who's been out showing off and appears to know everything! Not that windsurfers are ever like that of course...

Now, how to help out the guys that show up at the beach every summer with an old raceboard, tie on boom and a floppy triangle sail? The kit obviously worked back in it's day, but I'm stuffed if I know what a correctly rigged triangle with no leach looks like!

I'll remember that advice - Pull it till it goes soft and wrinkley from the head down!

Haggar said...

Bang on the money Waiting4wind. And if you have a pryde race sail, you really need the MXT extension http://www.neilpryde.com/matrix-2009/extensions/x6.html until I got this I could'nt get enough downhaul on my RS Racing, even with a 4 pulley extension and a crank.

just got an MXT extension, very smooth with half the effort requied to downhaul.

what is this white slippery rope called?

Just fkn pull it till you cant,then slowly release till the desired shpe ; thats all. easy init

Its called 'Formuline'

http://www.surfsailaustralia.com.au/showProduct/Windsurfing+-+Accessories/Ropes/433855

If you're in Sydney Sam has it in his shop.

DavMen said...

Its called 'Formuline'

http://www.surfsailaustralia.com.au/showProduct/Windsurfing+-+Accessories/Ropes/433855

If you're in Sydney Sam has it in his shop.

I got some through Jez at www.2ndwind.com.au. He posted it out to me no probs. It made a huge difference. Its a lot easier to downhaul all my sails without a crank etc. I still use an aluminium bar to help me pull the rope but that could be cos I am pi$$ weak

definately riggin sails so that the rope runs smoothly through all the pullys makes all the difference.

swoosh said...

I'm suprised that I am pretty much the only person I know who uses their harness to downhaul. I just make a simple loop in the downhaul rope and put my harness hook through it. Means I don't have to carry a downhaul tool or anything like that.

How do you tie the loop?

No need for a winch, no need for a bad back. Here's the final word on downhauling technique - courtesy of Mr Sean O'Brien.

carbonsugar.com/technique/save-your-back-rig-it-right/


Note: you've gotta use a seat harness for this, or put your waist harness down around your hips. You should be pushing with your leg only, not pulling with your back.

THIS technique RULES!!! I've been doing it for a month now and those achy backs from dodgy downhauls are a thing of the past. Thanks, Sean!

knot board said...

NotWal said...

swoosh said...

I'm suprised that I am pretty much the only person I know who uses their harness to downhaul. I just make a simple loop in the downhaul rope and put my harness hook through it. Means I don't have to carry a downhaul tool or anything like that.

How do you tie the loop?

Tie a Bowline, always comes undone even after you've used your popeye arms to pull on maximum downhaul.

I use my harness bar also but remember to hold in close to the hook and not with a wide grip on either end of the bar because they are not hard to bend.

Its not even as complicated as a bowline!

I took a photo to show you.



Just hang onto the loose part of the rope as sometimes it will slip a tiny bit, but usually it doesn't. Its super quick, and easy to undo, heaps faster then a bowline. To undo the 'knot' just slip your harness hook out and it undoes itself

I read Sean's article a long time ago, but I prefer to do it my way mainly because my way works fine for me, and it's quicker because I don't have to put the harness on.

Sean's way works fine thou, and probably better if you use sails which are tough to downhaul.

swoosh said...

I read Sean's article a long time ago, but I prefer to do it my way mainly because my way works fine for me, and it's quicker because I don't have to put the harness on.

Sean's way works fine thou, and probably better if you use sails which are tough to downhaul.

OK I see your point, but if you're already wearing your harness, doing it the other way means you have to take your harness OFF! Adjusting downhaul in the middle of a session, etc...