Pulling on the downhaul to trim the sail can be most annoying part of rigging the sail. The two main factors that make this part of windsurfing unpleasant are the strain on the back and the trouble pulling the downhaul rope easily.
Back strain
For the back we need to consider technique. Ideally the lower back is kept straight and leant back at an angle slightly over 90° with respect to the mast. Also we want to pull increasing the force we apply gradually rather than in a burst.
Now to the techniques with getting a proper grip on the rope.
Coil around the fist
The most simple of all but it provides de natural disadvantage that the rope cuts into the hand. This technique may work well for the outhaul since there we need less power. The downhaul however offers more resistance and so using nothing but our hands will only let us pull as far as our pain threshold.
Rope-bite grip
Handle
This takes a second longer to set up, simple passing the rope through the holes and trapping the loose end under the middle section. This device is better than the rope-bite grip in the sense that it will not cause wear on the rope. A slight discomfort is caused due to the handle being a little thin but otherwise this method is great.
Harness
This is the most practical solution as we will always have our harness with us when rigging our sail. A simple bowline knot is used and the noose passed over the hook. The only two minor disadvantages with this is that the bowline knot needs a considerable length of rope and that the test of the harness is a little cumbersome when setting up this method.
Stick
We have two knots that we can apply to be able to use nothing but a thick stick to tense the downhaul.
1. Prepare the knot for the bar
2. Tie the knot around the bar
You can also finish off the knot like this to make it easier to undo afterwards
Step-winch Mast Base
Winch
If you have any back problems, you should definitely get one of these bad boys. Since all you do is plug it into the mast base and turn the winch, all you need is arm strength and don’t need to use your back at all. It might need somewhat more energy input than the step-winch mast base (maybe someday they will come out with a version with gears 🙂 ) but it is completely harmless for the rope.
I am 78 and still windsurfing withe the Seavets.
The difficulty at my age is that I have lost 25% of the strength in my biceps and therefore rigging becomes a real effort and exhausting. This is because applying the downhaul required to achieve a proper shape to the sail requires a greater strength than I am able to apply even when using a winch similar to the type you sell. Therefore, I am looking for means of providing a lower gear to your winch to apply the required down haul. Do you have any ideas please?
There are three Seavets over 80 still racing their longboards and most agree that applying the correct downhaul requires more energy than jus racing their board! Help Please!!
AWH – Seavet
Hey Tony!
First off, I find it awesome that you are still windsurfing at 78. Respect!
As to the strength problem, I think I have an answer but it will require some extra steps to rigging the sail. I also may have found a tool which can help aside from the technique.
When you are rigging your sail you will first tense the downhaul as far as you can, then put on the boom and tense the outhaul. The more you tense the outhaul, the easier it is going to be to further tense the downhaul later. This is because the outhaul tension pulls the mast sleeve towards you and bends the mast. This in turn takes away tension from the downhaul.
So my suggestion is to first tense the downhaul as far as you can. Then, set the boom length at 2-3 inch (5-7cm) longer than you would normally. Tense the outhaul as far as you can. Now, if you go back to the downhaul you should notice that you can tense it a little bit further, maybe as much as you need it.
If you have managed to get the downhaul to where it should be, go back to the clew, undo the outhaul, put the boom back to the correct length and tense the outhaul again. This should do the trick.
Aside from all of this, try to not tense the downhaul with your biceps. Instead use your quadriceps which are stronger. In other words, grab your harness/downhaul-tensing-bar/etc. with outstretched arms and instead of pulling it towards you with your arms, push the mast base away from you with your foot. I recently saw a guy tensing a formula sail with a self made adapter on the mast base so that he could push with both feet rather than just one. I will see if I can make one or take a picture or take a picture to upload here.
I hope this helps you out. Give it a try and let me know if it worked or not. If not I will have to come up with something else 😉
Arne
Hello from Norway,
I have a little trick for You:
Spray both the rope and pulleys with McLube sailkote dry lubricant, and I can guarante at least 50 mm more downhole (at the rope) than without! This have worked for me for Years on my formula sails😎
Kjell NOR 20
Hey Kjell! Thanks for the great advice!
I know this post is a few years old but I use McLube Sailkote for every thing sailing. It’s great stuff. I’m 68 and just getting started so all these tips are great! My sail just had a grommet so I added a hook pulley and run a 3-1 ratio which helped a lot.