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Subject: max downhaul on 9.5 or bigger?

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Gary Brian
Posts:14

15/01/2007 8:40 PM
Hi Waggy I have recently purchased a starboard formulae board and have been sailing on a 9.5 arrows dragster.Do the larger sails require max downhaul to get the sweet spot on the harness line?The wind dropped off so I was advised to release a bit of downhaul which i let go about 3 centimeters however after that when i sailed the sail never felt balanced and i could not find the sweet spot on the harness line. Thanks Gary Brian

WAggles
Posts:320

15/01/2007 11:07 PM
ok gary you are right downhaual is very important but i need to establish facts 1st what mast are u using full spec please and what boom are you using also full spec then i can tell you more waggy

WAggles
Posts:320

16/01/2007 2:02 PM
Gary. The general rule with all modern free race and race sails is that you should set the downhaul to the recomended setting and leave it there. Use the outhaul to power the sail up or down. Most guys use an adjustable outhaul system on the big sails so that you can change the setting on the water. On the Arrows sails you have to play a little to find the correct setting. You will find that if you apply to much downhaul the sail will have no power. If you apply to little downhaul the sail will be unstable and will feel like it wants to chuck you all the time. You will also battle to get the harness lines in the right position. So find the right downhaul setting and make a note for future reference. Another point is to get you harness lines about a hand with apart, this will allow you to sheet the sail in and out easily. When you are next at the dam ask the guys to give you a hand. Waggy

Gary Brian
Posts:14

20/01/2007 6:46 PM
Hi Waggy Apologies on the late reply the Arrows stats are as follows Mast 520 Luff 533 Ext 13 Boom 254 I have a Neil Pryde X6 (225-275) Mast 490 Neil Pryde Extension ( long type) set at 44. The boom I extend out to 30cm. I figure my settings are correct. However with a larger sail is it imperative to have the right size mast be a 520? Another query is that when the sail manufacturer mention the luff what would that setting be for. Thanks Gary

swiftsailor
Posts:13

24/02/2008 3:31 PM
Is Arrows a popular brand in S.A.? To answer the question, I sail a 9.6 Loft and Monty Spindler, the manufacturer, recommends giving his sails excessive downhaul at the high end of the range of his sails. I was also told by the salesman who sell me the Lofts that the outhaul setting should be left at the factory setting because I was over tightening it. However, Loft provides an adjustable outhaul with every big sail. Nevertheless, the salesman was responding to the fact that I had broken a batten adjustor by putting in too much outhaul. My suggestion would be that you play around with the ropes and see what your sail is capable of.

swiftsailor
Posts:13

24/02/2008 3:34 PM
Gary, you can find a long thread concerning mast lengths here: http://www.boards.co.uk/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=19546&PN=2

pueno
Posts:5

25/02/2008 4:01 AM
Hiya, Brucie. Back to annoy these folks with your idiocy? Have you shared your comic strip with them? http://www.teamcoyote.net/shot_otd.html

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