Telstar Surf blog

Windsurfing sail rigging and unrigging

The best tips for rigging and unrigging your windsurfing sail

In order to windsurf, it is imperative that you prepare your windsurf sail correctly. You obviously want to get on the water quickly, but properly rigging and unrigging your windsurfing sail ensures optimal performance and a longer life of your windsurfing gear. Who doesn't want that! 

In this blog, we will go into more detail about rigging and unrigging a windsurfing sail without cambers. There are several terms used in this blog:

Luff = luff length
Boom = boom length
Base = the length of your extender
Outhaul = outhaul, back of the boom 
Downhaul = downhaul, bottom of the sail

 

Luff/mast length

Within windsurfing, we talk about the Luff: this refers to the length of the mast trunk. This is the space where the mast goes in. The mast length is indicated by luff. The sizes are listed on your sail bag and at the bottom of your windsurfing sail.

Masts come in standard sizes, 340, 370, 400, 430, 460, 490. This is extended to the correct size by the mast extender. This means you don't have to buy a new mast for each sail but can use the same mast. 

The length of your mast extender is calculated as follows: luff - mast length = length of your extender.

For example: you have a sail with a luff of 445cm and a mast of 430. 445 - 430 = 15 centimeters. So in this case you need a mast extender of 15 centimeters Sometimes the extender cannot be extended to the exact length, then it is best to round up.

Exception:

Some sails have a variotop. This means that you can extend the luff length of your sail at the top, so that you can use a longer mast than is specified. For example, a luff of 445cm, with variotop, can be rigged with a 460cm mast and the variotop extended to 15cm. The mast extender will then remain at the smallest position. 

Note that almost no extender can be set to 0cm, usually the smallest adjustment is 6cm. Be sure to add that 6cm to the variotop extension. Using the variotop can affect the performance of the sail, we recommend not extending the variotop more than 25cm.

Setting boom length

The boom is called boom in English. Like a mast, you can adjust the boom to fit the sail. Booms also come in standard sizes but you can adjust the boom to the right size at the back (the clew). This adjustment is done by pushing up the clamps, slide the boom to the recommended length and push down the clamps again. In most cases you can leave the boom at this position. Be careful not to get dirt or sand between the extendable parts, they may get stuck. Cleaning the boom can be done with clean water or, if necessary, soapy water. You slide the boom completely apart and rinse the parts with the water sand and dirt free.

'Make sure you always rig your windsurf sail properly'

Preparation  


It is important to have your equipment ready when you rig up. It is annoying to have to go back and forth to your car, cart or trailer when you are rigging up or unrigging. Then your surf set can also be blown away. Make sure you have the following items ready: sail, mast, boom, extender and possibly a trimming aid.
Note that in strong winds, rigging up becomes more difficult and you should then carefully figure out where to sit on the beach or grass. Sand, on the other hand, is harmful to your windsurfing gear, so if you can, try to rig your gear on the grass. Always make sure you have plenty of space around you. And stand with your back to the wind. 

Common terms when rigging your windsurfing sail are: 

Luff = luff length
Boom = boom length
Base = the length of your extender
Outhaul = outhaul, back of the boom 
Downhaul = downhaul, bottom of the sail

7 tips for rigging your windsurfing sail

For windsurfing sail rigging, we have written out 7 steps. This allows you to learn to rig your windsurfing sail step by step.

  1. Slide the mast sections together and then unroll your sail.
  2. Insert the mast into the mast trunk and pull the sail over the mast as far as possible. The last part is often stiff. Then stand at the boom opening and from there push the mast further into the mast trunk, this way you immediately check that the mast sections have not slid apart. Always check that your mast is properly seated in the masthead at the top.
  3. Now place the mast extender in the mast. Thread the line through the pulley and make sure that the lines run nicely along each other. If they are strung across each other, it can cause chafing and material damage. A simple tip here is inside - outside - inside. Your first line goes through the pulley on the mast side, the second through the outer pulley and the third again through the middle pulley. Then you pull the mast extender to ¾. Be sure to leave some slack so you can trim the sail optimally at the end.
  4. Now put the boom on the mast. Open the clamp and place the boom at the correct height (shoulder height). Clamp it the moment you are satisfied with the position.
  5.  Next, tighten the clew/uphthaler. Pass the line through the eyelet and pull your sail tight. Often this only needs to be 1 to 2 inches. The sail does not need to be too tight because the sail needs bulge. If you pull the outrigger too tight; your sail will become too flat. If you have any rope left over you can wrap it around the boom several times and tie it.
  6. Now tighten the rope of the mast extender to 100%. Pay close attention to the wind, with strong winds (wind force 4 to 5) you can tighten your sail so that at the top the Loose Leach is created. This improves the performance of the sail.
  7. Attach your drawstring by wrapping the loop around your mast extender.

You are now ready to windsurf!

Note! When using the sail for the first time it is necessary to tighten the battens. These are tightened with a batten tensioner, which comes with your new sail and is often found at the top of your sail bag. Indications on the sail indicate which way to turn the battens. You turn the battens until all wrinkles around the batten are removed. You only need to tighten the battens the first time you surf. If you notice after some time that wrinkles appear again in the sail, you can always repeat this.

 

Unrigging your windsurfing sail 

Unrigging the sail is a lot easier and goes in the reverse order:

  • First, loosen the outrigger and remove the boom from the mast. If this is difficult, you can take a little tension off the downhaul.
  • Next, loosen the downhaul completely and remove the extender from the windsurfing mast. Always make sure that the lower part of the sail has already slid past the extender so that you can still touch the mast.
  • Then pull the mast out of the mast loft with a twisting motion.
  • Roll the sail up from the top and secure it with the elastic, which is located in the luff. Each sail has a small eyelet on the luff and a rubber band to keep the sail rolled up tightly.

Tip: If someone holds the top of the sail, it is a lot easier to unwind the mast from the mast lug! The mast sections may come apart during this action, in which case remove the lower section first and then you can remove the upper section through the boom opening.

Conclusion: rigging and unrigging your windsurfing kit

Rigging the sail involves a number of steps. When you follow these steps your sail is properly rigged and your equipment will last longer. A badly rigged sail has folds, a properly rigged sail is nice and tight. Unrigging a windsurfing sail is almost three times faster and therefore has fewer steps. Be careful when rolling up your surf set that your windsurfing equipment is dry. We do not recommend storing a wet sail. For tips on maintaining your surf gear, please refer to the blog "Maintaining Windsurf".

 

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