Trim

The Loft includes a simple, light outhaul adjustment system with all sails.

Those who adapt best to the conditions win windsurfng races. A basic part of adapting to conditions is the adjustable outhaul. Racers normally rig their sails with outhaul adjustment systems that include boom-mounted cleats and low-friction roller-blocks.

The Loft Adjustable Outhaul System is not intended to replace racing-type outhaul adjustment systems. With care when placing and using The Loft adjustable outhaul, the recreational windsurfer now has an easy way to modify outhaul tension without having to go to the beach.

The adjustable outhaul allows easy on-the-water outhaul adjustments so you can adapt your rig to the windsurfing conditions without needing to visit the beach. Once experiencing the system you will appreciate its ease of use and the expansion of your wind range.

Using the Adjustable Outhaul:

• Adjustments are best made when stopped, then adjust as needed and go!
• With positions of the adjustable outhaul and line lengths adjusted to suit you and your boom, outhaul tension can be released while in the harness.
• Tensioning the system is best done when not hooked in the harness.
• Extreme hard trim (outhaul set very tight for strong wind conditions) may be best set without use of the adjustable outhaul as the system as long lines and high tensions may stretch and result in lower outhaul tension.

Installation Guide:

1. Loop placement - Use the rope loop to attach the system onto the boom +/- 30cm behind the harness lines. Pull tight so that the ropes set into your boom grip.

2. Fixing rope - Tie a low-stretch line to the webbing loop at the buckle.

3. Outhaul threading - Lead the line back to the boom end, then thread the line through the clew and then back to the boom end and cleat. For additional outhaul power (if your boom end is so adapted) the line can be tied off at the sail clew.

4. Bungee placement

5. Tensioning

6. Releasing

Should the wind drop, or should your sail be small for the wind strength, less downhaul tension will firm up the leech and make the sail body fuller. This reduced trim generates greater low-end power.

Note that as soon as the winds are sufficient for easy planing, it is a good moment to experiment with more downhaul tension. The fresh feeling of free speed will set your windsurfing soul free. The downhaul adjustment range between ideal low wind trim and ideal high wind trim may be as much as 4cm.

Downhaul tension is of critical importance to sail trim... all rigs respond favourably to increased downhaul tension for high-wind sailing. For strong winds it pays to be radical. More downhaul tension equals easier handling and greater speed in strong winds.

When overpowered, tension the downhaul! High tension makes the sail's leech (rear edge) open and free; power is released from the top of the sail. This makes the rig easier to handle and increases top-end speed.

 Greater downhaul tension will directly flatten the sail body, making the rig's passage through the wind slim and slippery. Be aggressive with downhaul tension as the wind rises... sails from The Loft are designed and built to respond positively to high downhaul tension!

The outhaul is a critical adjustment which has direct impact on rig performance.

Reduced outhaul makes the sail deeper in profile, generating greater power for light winds. Greater outhaul tension flattens the sail profile, making the sail much easier to handle and faster in medium and strong winds as the sail passes easily through the wind. In very light winds slack outhaul tension will add depth of sail profile, which directly powers up the rig. The distance between ideal strong and light wind outhaul trim may be as much as 5-7 cm.

Boom height has direct impact on performance. A low boom will make initiation of planing difficult and make un-hooking the harness difficult. An overly high boom promotes early tail walking, makes manoeuvres difficult and can make hooking and un-hooking the harness difficult.

A good position to begin is chest/shoulder level. If there is too little wind for the sail size being used, the boom is best raised to assist the initiation of planing. A higher boom places more of the windsurfer's weight onto the rig, and less on the board. Consequently, the board has a greater capacity to lift and plane.

If the wind is strong for the sail size, lowering the boom will give the windsurfer greater control. With a lower boom position, the rider's weight becomes more board oriented, increasing board control in rough conditions.

Harness lines are your power transfer, so their position and length directly affect rig performance. Finding the right position for the harness lines on the boom is a question of balance.

Lines too far forward will limit speed by keeping the sailor too far forward on the board and not allowing full power transfer. In this situation the back arm becomes fatigued.

If the lines are too far back catapults are more likely and the forward arm becomes fatigued.

Try sailing with no hands! If the lines are in the correct position, you will be able to sail for some moments with no hands! If you reach for the boom first with your back hand, the lines should be moved back. If you reach for the boom first with the front hand, the lines should be moved forward.

Lines that are placed further apart may give windsurfers a feeling of greater stability. Wide lines (30cm+) comfortably harness the sail's power and are generally better suited to beginning windsurfers.

Harness lines placed close together on the boom will make the power transfer very direct, demanding greater attention be paid to to the rig´s position relative to the wind. Racing & competition-oriented windsurfers usually opt for lines set close together, as close as 5cm.

Harness line length also influences windsurfing performance. 24cm to 26cm is the average harness line length. Overly short lines limit speed potential. Bodyweight is your power generator. Bodyweight too close to the rig, and maximum power is unavailable. Overly short lines (less than 25cm max from boom) also limit reaction time as the windsurfer encounters changing wind and sea conditions. Overly long lines may cause arm fatigue and rather wet windsurfing as the sailor makes frequent contact with the water.

Outhaul tension affects harness line position. Soft (powerful) outhaul will need harness lines set farther back. Hard outhaul (flat for strong winds) will bring correct harness line positions forward.
A loose fitting harness affects negatively power transfer and windsurfing performance. Keep your harness tight!

Footstrap position determines the sailor's stance on the board, and therefore the board's attitude in the water.

Generally, a wide stance is control and manoeuvre oriented. For rough water straps placed farther apart and forward will result in more control over both the board and the lift of the fin. On flat water footstraps may be best located further back. Rear footstrap positions allow the windsurfer to fly more on the fin with less board in the water for greater speed potential.

Masts influence rig performance. It is best to use the recommended mast for the sail.

If a softer/shorter mast is used, the rig becomes more flexible. Handling may become easier in high winds, and the rig may become easier to close down on the board (closing the gap).

A stiffer mast will have the opposite effect; the rig will become more difficult to close in the upper wind range, will go upwind more efficiently and become more light wind oriented.