Ronstan used to make them, try yacht chandler.

Surf Sail Australia? They seem to have lots of this sort of thing, and a reasonable website too.

Thanks guys, I have actually downhauled my sails since losing the tool, using the various methods. I even have a couple of the dowhhaul bars. However none have been as small, quick and convenient to use as the one I lost.

Thanks Formulanova, Surfsail have the Clamcleat Powergrip which is a bit bigger than the one I had. If I can't find the one I want I'll order one of those.

Cut about 4" off the top of a wooden broom handle

Drill two holes through it, equal spacing apart

Do this 4 times

Put one in car, one in sail bag, one in pocket and one in box of mast foot bits.

Now you can always find one.

To sweep floor bend over a bit more.

To downhaul sail thread rope up one hole, back through the other and then around and under the rope that goes between the two holes.

Downhaul, slide wooden thingy up rope, down haul again. Tie figure of 8 in rope, wrap around mast foot. Now you got the the thingy on the sail, can downhaul on the beach.

If you loose one, go look for another - you have 3 that cost all up $0.


If you don't understand send me $19.95 +p&p and I will send you one fully biodegradable downhaul hand cleat tool.

barn said...

But you can tie a bowline in literally 3 seconds..

It's..

- smaller (nonexistent)
- more convenient (it's everywhere and nowhere)
- practically free (you need to buy the rope)
- and you can never loose it. (unless you have alzheimer's)

Plus when you need to change the downhaul again, the knot is still there, saving even more time.

I worked at a centre where we downhauled sails all day long, we had a box full of those cleats, still in their packets..

I get the knot (but I do have trouble remembering knots, maybe I have got alzheimer's ) But you still need to attach the rope to something to get the purchase.

I'll give you an example (maybe I'm lazy). I was sailing yesterday on my 5.2m it was gusting 30 knots. I stopped to adjust the outhaul, near the shore in the water. With cold wet hands and rough water I couldn't even get enough power (w/o pain) to uncleat the outhaul. Normally with my nifty tool which was in my harness pocket, the adjustment would be done in 20 seconds and pain free. So yesterday I did wade through the shore break on to the beach, took my harness hook off, tied a gumby note and did the OH. The point is, it's a much quicker exercise, in the water or out, with the tool.

BTW it wasn't me that red thumbed!

Carantoc, I have the aluminium commercial version of the DH bar with the 2 holes. It's not as quick and convenient and doesn't fit in my wesuit or harness.

I bought a few of these DH tools in Hong Kong many years ago and gave them to my mates, I might have to reposses one of the ones I gave away!

Waiting4wind said...

I'll give you an example (maybe I'm lazy). I was sailing yesterday on my 5.2m it was gusting 30 knots. I stopped to adjust the outhaul, near the shore in the water. With cold wet hands and rough water I couldn't even get enough power (w/o pain) to uncleat the outhaul. Normally with my nifty tool which was in my harness pocket, the adjustment would be done in 20 seconds and pain free. So yesterday I did wade through the shore break on to the beach, took my harness hook off, tied a gumby note and did the OH. The point is, it's a much quicker exercise, in the water or out, with the tool.

I find it easier just to unwrap the left over outhaul from the mast base, tie that ezzy knot (it literally takes me around 1 second), slide it onto my harness, and push the board away with my hands. As the harness is still attached to me it works quite well. Then cleat off and wrap back up as normal. The benefit is you don't have to try using something that might fall out of your harness or into the sand -- all the bits stay attached the whole time. I've done this in waist deep water often.

Mark _australia said...




Tying a knot is surely slower than just threading rope thru two holes in the downhaul tool described by Carantoc

Tying a knot is only slower if you can't tie knots.

meh I cant tie knots at all I use the spreader bar to do the downhaul for the sail and also for undoing the outhaul when its really cold and I have been out for a while.

If this is what you are looking for:





You should be able to get it from Sunshine coast sailboards as they import them.

ikw777 said...


Oh and the knot is not a bowline. That's something entirely different.

Yep, I should have made myself clear.. I first was talking about the bowline, which is perfect for using your hands to pull the downhaul on..

Then I posted this Ezzy knot video for anyone who uses a stick like object as a tool, rather than drilling holes in it..

The Ezzy knot will not work on a harness hook, and a bowline is inferior to the Ezzy knot if your using a stick..


Paying money for a tool which literally grows on trees? priceless..

Waiting4wind said...

Thanks guys, I have actually downhauled my sails since losing the tool, using the various methods. I even have a couple of the dowhhaul bars. However none have been as small, quick and convenient to use as the one I lost.

Thanks Formulanova, Surfsail have the Clamcleat Powergrip which is a bit bigger than the one I had. If I can't find the one I want I'll order one of those.

Someone has already posted it, but do a search on cleat at SSA and you get:

http://www.surfsailaustralia.com.au/showProduct/Windsurfing/Windsurfing+Accessories/353024/Clamcleat+Power+Grip

or the bigger one you don't want:

www.surfsailaustralia.com.au/showProduct/Windsurfing/Windsurfing+Accessories/cl262/Clamcleat+Power+Grip+No+2

I use one of these, but carrying it in my wetsuit just causes all sorts of questions:

www.surfsailaustralia.com.au/showProduct/Windsurfing/Windsurfing+Accessories/339458/Chinook+Rig+Winch

i used to use the r1der method.

wrap the rope around your hand, grit your teeth and push the mast away with your leg whilst pulling.

due to lame hand i now use the harness bar method

Oh and the knot is not a bowline. That's something entirely different.

I hadnt seen that knot, I always do a clove hitch around my spreader bar. Works fine for me.

I just use the CamCleats etc I find left on the beach after the forgetful ones take off.....

barn said...

Waiting4wind said...

I used to wear mine around my neck like a necklace on a piece of rope. It fits snuggly under the rashie and between my man boobs!

For some reason I get really freaked out when I see windsurfers with downhaul grade rope around their neck.. I see it all the time..

Worst case scenario is it gets caught in something and pulls your head off.. And I get worried I'm gonna have to resuscitate some old fart who is being chocked to death by his self issued noose..

Yeah, I understand your concern. I ran into some low flying kite lines and it pulled my head right off.

I wanted to put it back on, but some said not to bother.

Kite lines in the neck hurt, although the initial anger at the guy that dropped the kite in front of me took care of it for a while [}:)]