Structure

There are basically only a few things to do on the board: Insert the mast base, mount the fin and - if available - insert the centreboard. If you start riding with footstraps, you will need to screw them onto the board and adjust them, if you haven't already done so. Of course, every manufacturer provides detailed instructions.

There are various mast base systems: All have a base plate with a threaded rod for attachment to the board. There are differences in the joint (usually so-called power joints or cardan joints) and in the mount for the mast extension. The stainless steel spigot as shown in picture 2 is widely used. The Sunshine system with a wide plastic round tube and pin-lock mechanism is also still used. The mast base must fit the mast extension (check before buying!).

There are also different mounting systems for the fins: The most common is called Powerbox and is the easiest to mount (see below for explanation). Very large fins are usually attached with a Tuttlebox system, which is basically a large Powerbox but with two screw connections. The US box system offers additional trimming options. Here, the fin can be pushed forwards and backwards in the fin box to change the board's riding behaviour. However, US boxes are usually only installed in wave boards.

Mounting the mast base

Simply unscrew the nut almost completely, insert it into the wide opening at the front end of the mast track and push it back to the desired position. Turn the foot plate clockwise until it can no longer be moved. Finished.

Adjusting the mast base

The mast base can be screwed down along the entire length of the mast track. The behaviour of the board changes depending on the position of the mast base. As a general rule, the mast base is mounted further forwards for large sails and further back for small sails. The board manufacturers provide individual tips on their products.

Use sword

Folding centreboards (see picture on the left) are simply inserted vertically into the centreboard box from above with the thicker leading edge facing forwards and inserted into the lever mechanism in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. The centreboard can then be folded in or out while driving using the centreboard knob. Small centreboards are usually mounted like a Powerbox fin (see below).

Insert fin

Powerbox is the most commonly used fin system. The fin is simply inserted into the fin box at the rear of the board from below with the thicker leading edge facing forwards and screwed into place from above. There are no adjustment options here, the fin box has already been optimally positioned by the manufacturer.

Screw on the fin

The fin is tightened from above with the screw supplied until it can no longer be moved. This requires a Phillips screwdriver, which is usually supplied with the board. Some manufacturers supply screws that do not require a tool. If the fins are screwed on too loosely, they can fall out during the ride, making it very difficult to get them back on land!

Fitting the foot straps

If you are starting to ride with footstraps and do not yet have any mounted on your board, you can buy the right models for your board from specialised retailers. The straps are usually fitted to the board using the 2 or 4 screws supplied in the holes (plugs) provided. You need the same screwdriver for this as for the Powerbox fin. Follow the manufacturer's instructions!

Adjusting the foot straps

As far as the position is concerned, the following applies to beginners: as far forwards and as far inwards as possible. You should therefore always choose the hole combinations for the strap position that are closest to the mast foot and the longitudinal axis of the board. The width of the loops must then be adjusted to the foot. To do this, simply open all the Velcro fasteners, slip them in and close the Velcro fasteners again. If you are surfing with shoes, you need to adjust the straps a little further.

At the beginning of the 1980s, setting up the rig was like setting sails on a three-master, but today it is child's play thanks to quick-release fasteners on the boom, standardised masts and sophisticated sail cuts with helpful information and features. It goes without saying that every manufacturer supplies detailed instructions.

All masts are standardised, have the same constant bending curve, consist of two sections and are made of synthetic fibre fabrics with varying degrees of carbon content. The higher the carbon content, the lighter and more efficient the mast. They are available in the required lengths to suit every sail size. You can find out which mast is suitable for your sail on your sail or in the corresponding instructions.

Skinny masts are a speciality. These are thinner than standard masts and have different handling characteristics. If you use a skinny mast, you need a suitable fork and a suitable mast extension.

Booms are usually made of aluminium or carbon. They all have a standardised head piece with a quick-release fastener, suitable for standard masts, and an adjustment range to change the length. This means that different sail sizes can be set up with one and the same boom. The main differences are in the length. Which fork fits your sail can be found on your sail or in the corresponding instructions. Forks are available with spars of different thicknesses. Thinner spars are easier to grip and require less effort, especially for small surfers, women and children.

The finished rig also includes a starting sheet and, if necessary, trapeze ropes. You can find out how these are fitted in your sailing instructions.

Assemble the mast

Modern poles consist of two parts that must first be inserted into each other. IMPORTANT: Both parts must be fully inserted together to create a smooth surface at the joint. If you are sloppy here, you risk breaking the mast.

Thread the mast

Now it is time to thread the mast into the mast pocket of the sail, starting from the bottom, with the thinner upper end first. It is advisable not to push the mast through from the bottom to the top of the sail with all your strength. Rather, in the first step, push it into the sail only so far that it also threads into the upper part of the mast pocket, i.e. above the boom cut-out in the sail.

Push through mast

To push the mast all the way through to the sail top, it is best to grip it with one hand in the mast pocket cut-out where the fork will later be fitted. With the other hand, grasp the mast pocket above the cut-out and push the mast into the mast pocket as far as it will go without using too much force.

Check seat

Most sails have a small plastic plug in the sail top, which should now be in the opening of the mast tip. To check this, simply insert a finger into the top of the mast pocket and check that the plug is in place.

Insert mast extension

Before you can tension the luff of the sail, you must now insert the mast extension into the lower end of the mast to bring it to the desired length. The length is indicated on your sail. For example, if you have a 4.60 m mast and your sail has a luff of 4.72 m, you must set the extension to at least 12 cm.

Luff tensioning I

Now thread the rope of your mast extension alternately through the pulleys of the sail and the extension. At the end, the rope should come out through the clamp of the extension. Exactly how the rope is guided depends on the arrangement of the pulleys. You can find information on this in the instructions for your sail. It is important that the rope always runs parallel and not crosswise.

Luff tensioning II

Once threaded, it's time to pull! To do this, sit on the ground. Wrap the rope around a stick or a screwdriver, support yourself with one leg on the mast extension and pull hard. Keep your back straight, most of the force comes from your leg, which you stretch out as you pull. There are a variety of trimming aids. Information on this can be found in specialised shops.

Luff tensioning III

How far you have to tension the luff depends on your sail. You can find information in the instructions. In principle, the specified luff length should be reached, i.e. the pulleys of the sail should be pulled almost as far as the pulleys of the extension. Another point of reference is the "loose leech". Pull until the first creases form on the leech edge of the sail top.

Adjusting and fitting the boom

The boom must also be adjusted to the appropriate length for the sail. This can be found on your sail. Then push the boom onto the sail from below, place the sleeve of the head piece around the mast and move the lever of the quick release. The boom should now sit firmly on the mast and no longer wobble. The boom should be mounted at about chest height.

Tensioning the leech

To do this, thread the rope at the boom end through the eyelets of the sail according to the instructions, so that it comes out of the cleat of the boom at the end. For sails with several eyelets, beginners should usually choose the lowest one, as the sail is trimmed more for controllability this way. Now tension the leech according to the instructions. Done!

Trim sails

The sail is now set up and ready to go. However, before you attach the ropes to the mast extension and boom end, you should check the trim of your sail. By applying different amounts of tension to the luff (mast extension) and leech (boom end), you can significantly influence the profile of the sail, and therefore its handling characteristics, and adapt it to the prevailing wind conditions. This is known as "trimming".

An incorrectly trimmed sail cannot even remotely achieve what it could with the right trim. In two simple steps, a sail that is supposedly too small can be given more power or, in strong winds, a sail that is too large can be given more control. The possibility of trimming increases the range of use of a sail enormously. A much larger wind range can be covered with one and the same sail.

Different sail types are designed differently and are therefore trimmed differently. The manufacturer provides precise trimming instructions with the sail. These can usually also be found on the Internet. Sail manufacturers go to great lengths to make it as easy as possible to adjust the sail by means of markings on the sail, the mast extension and the boom.

The basic rule is: With more wind, pull more on the luff (pictures 6-8) and leech (picture 10). This makes the profile of the sail flatter, it has less power and is easier to control. The opposite is true in light winds. With less tension on the luff (Figures 6-8) and leech (Figure 10), the sail has a more bulbous profile and therefore more power. The difference between light and strong wind trim is usually only 1-2 cm more or less draft.