Gday, the mast is a Mistral haven't got it here to get the specs but it's pretty solid. I've put heaps of downhaul on but then the luff creases severly, this is only partly remedied by outhaul. The battens seem to go half way around the mast.

nebbian said...

What sort of mast are you using?

It sounds like you need more downhaul. Tie a loop in the downhaul rope after it's all threaded, stick something through the loop (harness hook, screwdriver etc), sit down, put your foot on the bottom of the extension, and lean back like a rower.

http://www.capesport.co.za/tips_faq/windsurfing/windsurf_sail_rigging_downhaul.pdf

n.b; my guess only...

Apparently your using a mast that is to stiff (as Mistral don't make masts anymore I'm guessing its pretty old)

Wave sails need shorter masts, which are in turn softer (bendier), as they bend more per cm, to still attain the right 'curve'

I get the same sorta thing when I try to rig my 4.7 on my 460cm mast (but not quite as bad coz I spend alot of dough on a new RDM)

The only thing you can do is try getting heaps more downhaul on it (like nebbian said), or get another mast

edit: North Sails need flex top masts (someone double check me on this), so maybe your mast is stiff top. My battens go half way around the mast and get stuck when I rig my Gaastra (stiff top I think) on a Loft mast (constant curve) without enough downhaul. But prob fibreglass mast...

Gday dism, thats in the back of my head, didn't want to admit tho as it means selling the sail or buying a new mast. The sail was cheap and in great nick...

dism said...

n.b; my guess only...

Apparently your using a mast that is to stiff (as Mistral don't make masts anymore I'm guessing its pretty old)

Wave sails need shorter masts, which are in turn softer (bendier), as they bend more per cm, to still attain the right 'curve'

I get the same sorta thing when I try to rig my 4.7 on my 460cm mast (but not quite as bad coz I spend alot of dough on a new RDM)

The only thing you can do is try getting heaps more downhaul on it (like nebbian said), or get another mast

edit: North Sails need flex top masts (someone double check me on this), so maybe your mast is stiff top. My battens go half way around the mast and get stuck when I rig my Gaastra (stiff top I think) on a Loft mast (constant curve) without enough downhaul. But prob fibreglass mast...

Yep, chuck the mast..

I have a North Rave 5.7 which rigs beautifully on an older NP (approx 10yr old) 430 mast, cant remember exactly which mast but its 2 piece 30% carbon, hope that helps.

lalalamort said...

I have a North Natural 7.0 on a 20 your old fibreglass mast...

yeah, but does yours give you gifts inside your hands everytime you rig it?

Isn't a north natural a new(ish) sail, thats the equivalent of getting a new car and pissing in the tank to fuel it!

Ok, i'm being mean now. But old masts have caused me strife (therefore this rant is directed at them not you lalalamort, sorry man)

Funny thing is my 4.7 doesn't fit on my 460, thus i'll prob try it on a shorter fiberglass mast

North sails ten years or less old have a narrow luft sleeve and battens that pass along side of the mast. You need a narrow mast, preferably a North and probably one of their drop shapes. Is your sail a VTS one?

dism said...

lalalamort said...

I have a North Natural 7.0 on a 20 your old fibreglass mast...

yeah, but does yours give you gifts inside your hands everytime you rig it?

Isn't a north natural a new(ish) sail, thats the equivalent of getting a new car and pissing in the tank to fuel it!

Ok, i'm being mean now. But old masts have caused me strife (therefore this rant is directed at them not you lalalamort, sorry man)

Funny thing is my 4.7 doesn't fit on my 460, thus i'll prob try it on a shorter fiberglass mast

haha, it actually is quite easy to rig. By that I mean I can downhaul it myself.....my mast is surprisingly bendy, so it all works out. Just oculdnt be bothered forking out another $400 for a new mast when i have a useable one. brb, just pissing in my new car

lalalamort said...
haha, it actually is quite easy to rig. By that I mean I can downhaul it myself.....my mast is surprisingly bendy, so it all works out. Just oculdnt be bothered forking out another $400 for a new mast when i have a useable one. brb, just pissing in my new car

Well if it works, then stoked, saves you heaps (damn expensive masts!!)
Whats the go with pissing in your new car??
Sounds interesting, can I have a go? haha