Proper way vario (mast)top strap in the buckle?

6 years ago
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Icelake
Icelake
98 posts
98 posts
11 Jun 2020 6:50pm
What is the proper way to put the vario (mast)top strap in the buckle?
forceten
forceten
1312 posts
1312 posts
12 Jun 2020 4:58am
To me only one way will cinch and tighten up.
I would Untie that big knot , and slide it down the sleeve
Icelake
Icelake
98 posts
98 posts
17 Jun 2020 3:54pm
Is there anyone who sails completely without a knot?

I think this buckle system will slip without a knot.

If you put the loose strap-end in the sleeve, will it stay put there in waves?
Mark _australia
Mark _australia
WA
23647 posts
WA, 23647 posts
17 Jun 2020 9:24pm
Usually only slips once then jams up well.
I'd have it too short, rig it and let it slip a little. Might have to do that couple of times......
Then a zip tie around it to be safe.
leeho
leeho
SA
6 posts
SA, 6 posts
18 Jun 2020 7:50pm
My 4.3 has the same setup and i intend to set at correct length and stich it up above buckle to stop slip ...voila
Bobbin
Bobbin
WA
123 posts
WA, 123 posts
18 Jun 2020 7:08pm





Basher
Basher
590 posts
590 posts
18 Jun 2020 8:31pm
Haha, Vario heads. They are still useful in adapting a sail to different mast lengths.

The problem with them are that all your downhaul settings have to be done by eye, and that won't suit some people. You never quite know where the head turban will bed down, so that means the sail luff length is no longer fixed, and recommended measurements can go out the window..

The key to getting the head turban to bed down is to make sure the gnurled slider bar can move freely. It then beds down easier in soft webbing compared to harder webbing - but the softer webbing can also wear through quickly.

So, best set the sliding bar by hand with the webbing length you want, and then tie the webbing tail off, before that first downhaul session. Once the slider has bedded in, it shouldn't move or slip again, and you can make a neater knot for the webbing tail by wrapping it around the mast tip - or some other tail stowage solution.
With a lot of excess webbing you might also knot the tail into a loop, which we used to call a 'panic strap' for holding the mast tip in waves - but this not recommended in big waves.
Icelake
Icelake
98 posts
98 posts
20 Jun 2020 2:54am
That's the confirmation I was looking for.
I think it's a stupid inaccurate system. If you have to tie a knot for 'not slipping', the buckle is unnecessary.
The 'panic strap' is a good idea!
Have a few times experienced a mast top that I couldn't hold on to...

And there is this one:


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