I am always surprised by the number of people I see with a lack of downhaul. Most modern sails, particularly NP, like a lot of downhaul. I've been a culprit myself in the past.
Often they'll use insufficient down haul and then start cranking on the outhaul when they get overpowered, which is pretty quick with an under down hauled sail.
Quite often when I've made the suggestion they look in disbelief but after trying it the smile comes out from the transformation. I was chatting to a fellow sailor who was in total disbelief with the difference it made. He was considering getting rid of the sail because it felt heavy and had poor range.
The real culprits are the race sails, particularly the earlier model NP RS sails I've used. Even with a winch it's feels difficult. Not to mention the popping, creaking sounds and the disbelief that I still have 2cm to go. Waiting for the whole rig to self destruct certainly had me scared, but the worst thing that happens is a snapped rope.
So if you see a fellow sailor with a badly rigged sail, please do them a favour.
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.
I have been guilty of downhauling insufficiently. When I first bought the RS6 I didn't rig it right and it felt bad. Since then I've bought the right mast for it plus have been shown how to rig it.
Recently I bought a 7.8 North race sail. Physically I could not get enough downhaul on it. A friend helped me rig it with his crank. So I bought a crank too. With winds like they are today I think a sail half the size of the 7.8 is in order.
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!
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 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.
) the north Ratchet system previously (I've got the double pulley version) as it was ferken hard to properly downhaul my RS4's.
I know this may sound too simple but a problem I was having with rigging the sails with enough downhaul was that the pulley on my sails had become a bit stiff and even though I was putting all my weight into it I just couldn't get the sail to rig properly. A bit of oil on the pulley made a world of difference.
definately riggin sails so that the rope runs smoothly through all the pullys makes all the difference.
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.
I agree that modern sails handle much better with lotsa pull down there.
Problem with the argument is that no matter how much you pull, and it could be with 50-ton crane, there always seems to be some theorician on the beach to say it's still not enough, even more is better, and so on. There has got to be something wrong with this recursive argument.
I pull super-hard on my 5.8 no winch, it sails fine, that's about it.
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!
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.
