IWC Stories Part 1

Rigging Tips

To follow the full story, please visit:

http://www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Victoria/Bullet-Proof-wave-sail-Part-2/

RIGGING TIPS by MOONDO and NAZ
(Images by Drift) 

 

As part of its comitment to our members, IWC is proud to present this rigging guide, to help you get the most out of your sail.
In this episode, club stalwarts Simon “Moondo” Chambers and Pete “Naz” Nathan go through the process of rigging their favourite sail- a KA KAOs 4.5. The KAOS was chosen because of its rugged construction and ability to survive the most testing of conditions, with or without a rider.

 

Step 1:

Check the specs on your sail.

These are a guide for rigging, and they give you information about the type of mast to use,how long your extension and boom needs to be

 

 

 

Step 2:

Thread the sail up the mast by scrunching the luff sleeve.  Scrunching the luff sleeve ensures that there isnt too much curve in the  mast tip.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 3: 

Thread the downhaul, but make sure that the line doesn’t cross over

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 4:  


Pull on your downhaul
We’d recommend a harness hook or rigging tool, but whatever floats your boat!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 5: 

After attaching the boom to the mast (but not the clew), pull on your downhaul.  Modern sails have a loose leech (a twist off the top of the sail).  A good guide is to get looseness in the 2nd batten from the top of the sail.

Adjust your outhaul so the sail has a deep profile and is just free of the boom
How much downhaul?
Well in light stuff you want the battens to still be about halfway across the mast.  In heavier winds  you use more downhaul to seperate the batten ends from the luff sleeve

 

 

 

 

 

Step 6:

Stand the sail upright and check boom height.  Also check your harness lines.  Move your hand up or down the boom until you find the centrepoint of balance (where the sail isn’t pulling towards the front or back).  This is a good spot to put your front harness line.  The back line goes about 2-3 fists back.  You should be able to balance the sail by just holding the centrepoint of the harness line.  If the sail pulls toward the front, move your line forward.  If it pulls to the back, move the harness line back.  Adjustments here are in millimetres not centimetres.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 7:

Get out amongst it!

Check the conditions and make sure they are within your limitations.

Have fun!

 

 

 

In the next edition, we will take a look at Rescue and Recovery, when to ditch your rig and where to look if you lose it.

 

 

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