Windsurfing Basics - Rigging a Windsurfing Sail

Windsurf rigging skills first require that you are familiar with both the definition of the windsurf rig and the individual components. This will help you more fully understand what you are doing when rigging up a windsurf sail. Incorrect sail rigging can absolutely ruin your day on the water.

First understand that the “rig” in windsurfing is everything except your board. The primary rigging components are the mast foot or base (u-joint), the mast (2 parts) , the mast extension (for different sail sizes), and the boom. The boom is two wishbone-shaped tubes. These tubes are connected by metal or plastic fittings and are typically made of aluminum or carbon. Booms adjust to fit sails of different sizes. You hold on to the boom to control the sail.

Following Systematic Procedure When Rigging

When windsurf rigging it is important to follow the same steps every time. By following the same sequence you should get into the habit of checking your equipment for wear or potential problems as you go. By doing this you can be assured that everything works correctly out on the water.

This summarized guide will help you but having a new beginner board kit complete with named component illustrations will help this process along considerably faster. You might want to practice rigging up a windsurf sail in your own backyard a time or two before you head for the beach. Once you have some hands-on practice with your new board kit you will be good to go in no time.

Sail Rigging Procedures

The first step to rigging should be to find an area that is not in the wind, if possible. Now lay out your mast components, the mast extension, the boom, and your sail. If there is some wind, you should roll out your sail with the widest (bottom) portion in the direction of that wind. Now you should take the top portion of the mast (smaller diameter) and slide it into the mast sleeve of your sail. Continue sliding until there is a small portion of the mast exposed below the bottom of the mast sleeve.

You will now insert the bottom section of your mast into the top piece. Double check to make sure that the two mast sections are attached properly and securely. Now keep sliding your mast upward toward the tip of your sail. Then locate the top cap on the sail and insert it into the top end of the mast and make that it is secure. Now, insert the component with pulleys (mast extension) into the bottom of the mast.

Thread the mast extension rope through the grommet on your sail then down through the pulley roller closest to the cleat and then back through the grommet on the sail once more. Care must be taken not to twist or tangle the rope during this entire process. Now thread the rope through the cleat and check again for rope tangles or twisting. Now pull down on the rope until the gap between the cleat and the sail bottom is gone. You are now successfully rigging up a windsurf sail. Practice these steps before adding the skill of attaching the boom.

Resources:

http://www.calema.com/forums/viewtopic.php?id=10
http://www.2radwindsurfblog.com/windsurfing/113-the-importance-of-rigging/http://www.ehow.com/how_8989_rig-windsurf-board.html http://www.boards.co.uk/articles/index.asp?ID_A=119&article_type=3 http://socrates.berkeley.edu/~wprinz/windsurfing/Uphaul.htmlhttp://www.boardseekermag.com/special_features/rig_it_right/rig_it_right.htmhttp://www.start-windsurfing.com/fr_start.htmhttp://www.iwavesolutions.com/lefebvre/Windsurfing/Articles/setup.html