Get your board ready

There is actually not so much to do: install the mast base, set up the fin and if a daggerboard is provided, attach it. If you want to use foot straps, you have to attach them to the board and adjust them, if this has not already been done. Naturally, every manufacturer includes detailed instructions.

 

There are different mast base systems. They all have the base plate with the threaded bar for the attachment to the board in common. The mast base systems have different joints (often so-called power joints or cardan joints) and different systems to fix the mast extensions. The stainless steel shaft as shown below in picture 2 is very popular. The Sunshine system with a wide plastic circular tube and a pin lock mechanism is also utilized. The mast base has to fit the mast extension (check before buying!).

 

There are also different fastening systems for fins. The most diffused one is called Powerbox, which is the easiest to set up (explanation below). Very big fins are often attached by using a Tuttlebox system, which is a kind of big Powerbox, but with two screw joints. The US-Box-System offers additional trimming opportunities. The fin can be pushed forward and backward in the fin box to alter the riding characteristics of the board. US-Boxes are mainly included in waveboards.

 

There are many board types and sizes. You can find out here whichever one is suitable for you.

 

We show you the most important steps below:

 

1. Insert the mast base

Just take out the screw nut almost completely, put it in the wide hole at the back end of the mast step and push it forwards to the right position. Then, turn the base plate clockwise until it is tight. Done.

 

 

 

 

2. Adjust the mast base

The mast base can be screwed on the entire length of the mast step. The riding characteristics of the board change according to the position of the mast base. Basically, if the sail is big, the mast base is set up in the front and if the sail is small, it is set up in the back. The board producers give individual hints for their products.

 

 

3. Attach the daggerboard

Folding daggerboards (as in the picture on the left) are simply put upright and from above, with the thicker leading edge in the front, into the casing and inserted into the lever mechanism according to the instructions of the producer. During the ride, the daggerboard can be folded and popped up by using the daggerboard pommel. Small daggerboards are usually installed like a Powerbox-fin (as shown below).

 

4. Set up the fin

Powerbox is the most common fin system. The fin is simply inserted with the thicker leading edge in the front from below into the fin box at the tail of the board and screwed from above. It is not necessary to make any adjustments, because the manufacturer already chose the most advantageous position for the fin box.

 

 

5. Screw the fin together

The fin is fixed from above with the provided screw, until it is tight. A crosstip screwdiver is needed, which is included in almost every board. Some producers provide screws, for which no tools are needed. If the fins are not fixed right, they can fall out during the ride and it will be very difficult to reach land.

 

 

 

6. Install the foot straps

If you want to start using foot straps, but you don't have any, you can find the right model, which fits your board, in specialist shops. The straps are often attached to the board with 2 or 4 provided screws which are put into designated plugs. The same screwdriver as for the Powerbox-fin is needed. Please note instructions of the manufacturer!

 

 

Photos Mistral

7. Adjust the foot straps

Concerning the position, beginners should keep the general rule "as much in the front and in the inside as possible" in mind. It is always good to choose the plug combination for the strap position which is the closest to the mast base and to the center-line of the board. The width of the straps has to be adjusted to the foot. Just open the Velcro, slip in and close it. If you want to surf with shoes, you have to adjust the straps a bit more loosely.

Rigging the Sail

In the beginning of the 80s, setting up the rig was as hard as setting the sail on a three-master, but today it is so easy that even kids could do it, thanks to the quick opening device at the boom, standardized masts and sophisticated sail cuts with useful hints and features. Certainly, all producers provide detailed instructions.

 

All masts are standardized, have the same constant bending, consist of two pieces and are made of synthetic fibre with different carbon percentages. The higher the percentage of the carbon, the lighter and more powerful the mast. There are masts for each sail, in the following sizes: 3.70m, 4.00m, 4.30m, 4.60m, 4.90m und 5.20m. Which mast fits your sail is printed on the sail or in the corresponding instructions.

 

The so-called skinny masts are a special feature. They are thinner than the normal masts and have different riding characteristics. If you want to use a skinny mast, you need a suitable boom and a suitable mast extension.

 

Booms are usually made of aluminum and carbon. They have a standardized head end with a quick opening device that fits standard masts and an adjustable range to alter the length. That's how different sizes of sails can be set up with the same boom. The main differences of the booms are the lengths. Which boom is right for your sail is printed on the sail or in the corresponding instructions. There are booms with bars in different thicknesses. Thin bars are better for small surfers, ladies and kids, because they are easier to grab, which is less of an effort and saves energy.

 

There are many sail types and sizes. You can find out here whichever one is suitable for you. The completed rig includes an uphaul and, if necessary, harness lines. You can read in your sailing instructions how to install these. When setting up the sail, the wind might just blow it away. That's why you should pay attention. How to lay down the sail while setting it up and later prevent it from blowing away is explained here.

 

These are the most important steps:

 

1. Stick the mast together

Modern masts consist of two pieces which have to be stuck together first. IMPORTANT: Both pieces have to be stuck together completely, so that the surface at the junction is even. If you don't pay enough attention, there is a risk that the mast will break.

 

 

 

2. Insert the mast

Now it is time to insert the mast into the mast bag of the sail, in fact from below, with the thinner, upper end first. It is not smart to push the mast with might and main and in one go from below to the top. It is better to push it first only as far into the sail so that it feeds into the sail on the upper part of the mast bag, above the boom opening.

 

 

3. Push the mast

To push the mast completely to the top of the sail, you have to grab the part of the mast bag in which the boom is attached later with one hand. Grap the mast bag above that part with the other hand and then you can push the mast without much effort as far as it will go into the mast bag.

 

 

 

4. Control if the plug fits

Most sails have a little plastic plug in the top, which should now be in the hole of the top of the mast. To check this, just put a finger into the upper end of the mast bag and check if the plug fits.

 

 

 

 

5. Attach the mast extension

Before you can tighten the luff of the sail, you have to put the mast extension into the lower end of the mast to bring it to the desired length. Which length you need is printed on the sail. If you have a 4.60m mast for example, and your sail has a luff of 4.72m, you have to set the extension to 12 cm.

 

 

 

6. Tighten the luff I

Now you have to insert the rope of your mast extension alternately through the guide sheaves of the sail and the extension. At the end, the rope should leave from the clamp of the extension. The way the rope runs depends on the arrangement of the sheaves. You can read more about it in the instructions. It is important to make sure that the rope always runs parallely and never crosses.

 

7. Tighten the luff II

When it is inserted completely, pull! You have to sit on the ground for this. Wrap the rope around a stick or a screwdriver, lean one leg against the mast extension and pull. Keep your back straight, the most power should come from the leg which is stretched. There are many trim aids. In a specialist shop you can find more information.

 

 

8. Tighten the luff III

It depends on your sail to what extent you have to tighten the luff. You can find information in the instructions. In general, the indicated luff length should be reached, the sheaves of the sail thus be pulled almost up to the extension. The "loose-leech" is a further indication. Pull until the edge of the leech of the top of the sail shows cuttlings.

 

 

9. Adjust and set up the boom

The boom has to be adjusted to the corresponding lenght of the sail. The length is printed on the sail. Then push the boom into the sail from below, put the sleeve of the head end around the mast and throw the lever of the quick clamp. Now, the boom should be attached tightly to the mast. The boom should be set up approximately at breast height.

 

 

Photos NeilPryde

10. Tighten the leech

Feed the rope at the tail of the boom according to the instructions through the loops of the sail, until it comes out of the clamp of the boom. When the sail has more than one loop, beginners should choose the lowest one, because that way, the sail gets easier to control. Now stretch the leech according to the instructions - done!

 

 

 

11. Trim the sail

Now the sail is set up and actually ready to go. But before you take care of the rope at the mast extension and the tail of the boom, you should check the trim of your sail. By changing the tension at the luff (mast extension) or at the leech (end of the boom), the profile of the sail can be altered, depending on the wind, and therefore the riding characteristics. This is called "trimming".

 

A sail which is trimmed the wrong way cannot achieve nearly as much as one which is trimmed correctly. With two movements, a small sail can get more power or a big sail can get more control when there's strong wind. With the possibility of trimming, the application area of a sail increases enormously. This way, the same sail can cover a much larger wind range.

 

Different types of sails are constructed differently and therefore have to be trimmed differently. The manufacturers provide detailled instructions with the sail. Often, you can find the instructions on the internet. The sail producers try to make the setting up of the sail easy for the customer by printing indications on the sail, the mast extension and the boom.

 

In principle, more wind means more tension on the luff (picture 6-8) and on the leech (picture 10). The profile of the sail gets flatter, it has less power and is easier to control. When the wind is weak, the opposite is true. With less tension on the luff (picture 6-8) and on the leech (picture 10), the sail gets a more bellied profile and therefore more power. The difference between a weak and a strong wind trim often accounts for only 1-2 cm more or less tension.