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How to fine-tune slalom sails for speed windsurfing
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- Category: Latest
- Published: 26 October 2012
- Written by Windsurfing News
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Downhaul is very important. Use the recommended settings with less half centimeter, in a few occasions. Test it to see how far you need to downhaul your sail to get enough leech twist.
Don't use too much outhaul. Try to make the sail touch the boom to the rear harness line, in order to open the sail properly. With an adjustable outhaul, get the sail flat for upwind runs to save you energy and, in downwind runs, release the sail into a more loosened profile.
Boom height is also relevant. In strong wind conditions, use the boom in a low position for maximum control. Keep your boom rope tight to the sail to get much more speed.
The top head of the sail should be positioned in the right direction otherwise the sail won't open for speed windsurfing.
Distribute your mast hand to hold 40% of the power and your sail hand to get 60% of the energy. The idea is that when you're turning downwind, sail starts to react to the wind and opens a little bit.
In low-to-moderate winds, get your harness lines short. Set your lines back in overpowered wind conditions.
Put your mast track more to the front to keep the windsurf board lower, but if you lose fin pressure get the mast to the back, again. If the nose of your board gets up, you'll have to lower your boom.
With wind gusts, the sail needs to breathe through the front to keep speed and maintain control. Make sure your lower battens are really tight, with a nice full profile. Don't put too much pressure on the third batten.
Get enough pressure on your cambers. On the lower cambers, there should be enough pressure so it doesn't deform in the upwind course. Inserting spacers in the cambers will increase camber pressure.
The Ghosts of Speed are Jurjen van der Noord, Peter de Wit, Hans Kreisel, Dirk Jan Knol, Martin van Meurs, Luc Salomons and Barry van Lingen.
Authors: Windsurfing News
Read more https://www.surfertoday.com/windsurfing/8088-how-to-fine-tune-slalom-sails-for-speed-windsurfing