New Sail rigging instructions

Hi. I've just gotten into windsurfing recently and have just bought a new sail. The rigging sheet contains a number of instructions which I'm unsure of. Any guidance would be appreciated...

Thanks, Paul.

MY SET UP Sail: 6.5m sail, luff 4.64 Mast: 460 cm , 30% carbon mast.

FROM RIGGING INSTRUCTIONS...

1. 'Set your MAST EXTENSION to the luff length' I don't have a mast extension. I suppose a 15 or 25cm would be fine? Is there much difference between a metal and carbon extension?

2. 'Hook the PULLEY HOOK or thread the downhaul through the eyelet'. What is a pulley hook? It also mentions that 'an efficient 6:1 or 8:1 downhaul system with a pulley hook will make downhaul adjustment easier'.

3. 'Apply 1-2cm of positive outhaul tension'. What exactly does that mean?

Basically a hook and block with 3 or 4 pulleys fitted to provide mechanical advantage when downhualing, the same principle as using a block and tackle in a hoist. You should have a matching number of pulleys on the mast foot.

See above.

Pull the outhaul to remove slack rope the pull the sail another 1-2cm to tension it, rough guide only.

First of all, if you bought your gear from a windsurfing shop, it's perfectly reasonable to ask the shop to help you rig it (at the shop) the first time. If that's not possible for you, then here goes:

<< 1. 'Set your MAST EXTENSION to the luff length' I don't have a mast extension. I suppose a 15 or 25cm would be fine? Is there much difference between a metal and carbon extension? >>

Are you sure you don't own an adjustable mast base extension? It's unlikely (I hope) that someone would sell you a windsurfing set up without one, as you can't rig a sail without it (because the mast base extension contains the pulleys and cleat used in downhauling the sail.) In any event, you need to add 4 cm of extension to your 460 mast so that you have 464cm, or 4.64m.

<< 2. 'Hook the PULLEY HOOK or thread the downhaul through the eyelet'. What is a pulley hook? It also mentions that 'an efficient 6:1 or 8:1 downhaul system with a pulley hook will make downhaul adjustment easier'. >>

Don't worry about the hook if you don't have one. The 6:1 or 8:1 downhaul is determined by whether you have 2 pulleys or 3 on your mast base extension. More is easier to downhaul if you thread your line cleanly. For most sails 6:1 is fine.

3. 'Apply 1-2cm of positive outhaul tension'. What exactly does that mean?

Once you've attached your boom to the mast, extend the back of the boom (which is adjustable) to the length for the boom stated on the sail (there should be a number for that too on the sail, and hopefully your boom has marked increments for its length.) If not, then set the mast base extension for 4CM extension, thread your downhaul, wrap the downhaul line around a thick stick or harness spreader bar and pull the downhaul until the bottom of the sail is almost touching the pulleys on the mast base extension.

Then go to the clew of the sail, and extend the boom so that it is 1-2 cm from the end of the sail. (in practice you should probably extend the boom one or two cm more, as until you are experienced you won't be able to tell where the neutral downhaul position truly is). Now thread your outhaul line through the boom and the sail, and tighten the outhaul.

I hope that helps!

Michael

It must be difficult to get it right the first time since folks always ask for help and rarely rig well in the beginning. The shop helped me rig all my sails on my first purchases.

On a busy WS beach, there are usually plenty of sailors who will help as well.

If you do not have an adjustable length extension, or do not know what it is, then it becomes even more important to do a dress rehearsal or two before expecting to use the sail. The shop should have a pulley hook as well as some sort of downhaul tool.

Though your mast of 460 plus extension of 4 cm = the specified luff length of 464, a pulley hook usually requires even more extension, est. 2-4 cm more. I recommend the Chinook aluminum variable length extensions, which can take a 4-pulley hook.

What is the 6.5 sail year, brand, model? The shop? Your location?

get going. Just ask. But it's always appropriate to ask here!

I bought the sail mail order. I had a sail previously which I've rigged a number of times. It had no rigging instructions so 1-2cm positive outhaul etc meant nothing to me.

I have a mast base which has 3 pulleys and a cleat. It is not an extension however so I'll need to get one.

The sail is a Tushingham Thunderbird 6.5m sail which I'll be sailing in Ireland. As it's my first decent sail I wanted to be sure I was rigging correctly!

Thanks for all replies to my post.

Paul.

Check out the rigging guides at Gaastra site http://www.gaastra.com/rigging_guides/index.html. This will give you the general idea. Good luck. rickp