Guide: Rigging the sail in under 3 minutes! This is how it's done!
Many surfers find rigging the sail annoying. If you don't know the right sequence, you often waste a lot of time here. Sometimes this is used as an argument to stop windsurfing because kitesurfing or wingsurfing is apparently much quicker. It's clear that we can't let this statement stand.
Our test manager and editor Stephan therefore tested the surf tests on Tobago put it to the test. How long does it take to rig a camberless sail? And without "cheating" with a preset extension and boom. Result: After 2:22 minutes, Stephan pressed the stop button. The beads of sweat on his forehead were more the result of the tropical climate than the stress of rigging the sail.
You can watch the clip in our YouTube channel. Click here and subscribe to our channel, there will be many more videos on equipment, trim and of course riding technique.
The most important steps in rigging a sail at a glance
- Unfurl the sail from windward to leeward, put the mast together
- Thread the mast into the mast sleeve and push it through "concertina style"
- Adjust and insert the extension. Thread in the downhaul rope and pre-tension slightly
- Attach boom to mast
- Push the luff through completely
- Attach the outhaul rope and pull it slightly taut - ready!
Tip: Trimming the downhaul rope in particular always causes problems. Trimming aids can help to apply the necessary pulling force. And here too, Stephan has a tip on how you can use your harness hook and a simple loop trick to get a good grip - watch the video to find out how. Of course, there are still a few finishing touches to do after the rough set-up shown. Before heading out on the water, you should secure the ropes at the boom end and luff and adjust the boom height to suit you.
Further tips on rigging
We have also summarised in another clip how you can recognise whether the set trim is suitable and what differences there are between the different sail types Freeride, Freemove and Freerace (with camber). Take a look here too!
