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Downhaul tension question.
http://www.hobie.com/au/en/forums/viewtopic.php?f=71&t=57241		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Aero_70 [ Wed Mar 30, 2016 2:54 am ]
Post subject:  Downhaul tension question.
When you all pack up to come home, do you loosen the downhaul tension or just leave it alone?
Thanks
Paul Links
Author:  tonystott [ Wed Mar 30, 2016 5:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Downhaul tension question.
Aero_70 wrote:
When you all pack up to come home, do you loosen the downhaul tension or just leave it alone?
Thanks
Paul Links

Paul, I unload all bungees, but don't worry about mainsail downhaul tension, purely because the tension required for sailing is not enough to distort the sailcloth (in my opinion). So I wouldn't be too concerned about damaging the sail. I just recheck mine about once a year.

BTW, I have given downhaul tension some thought, and decided that (unlike racing yachts, where the mainsail might have eight or more controls), Islands have a very simple set-up, and Islands are not all-out competition vessels.
Author:  Aero_70 [ Wed Mar 30, 2016 6:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Downhaul tension question.
Thanks! I release all my bungees but didn't know if I there was a need on the sail itself.
Author:  chadbach [ Wed Mar 30, 2016 6:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Downhaul tension question.
I have wondered about this as well...
I don't loosen my downhaul either. I just snug it down and leave it. Then I'll check it every so often to make sure it's still snug.
Author:  quattroguy [ Thu Mar 31, 2016 7:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Downhaul tension question.
I did a few times at first. But I noticed that this is not a downhaul like a "normal" sail.
It is not really sensitive to adjustment. My theory is that without a boom and outhaul
adjustment the downhaul doesn't do much. I also played with the batten tension and had similar results.
Nice to sail without controls to tweek but somewhat frustrating that I can't improve sail shape.
Author:  Aero_70 [ Thu Mar 31, 2016 4:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Downhaul tension question.
Sweet it's like a Ronco Rotisserie..... set it and forget it!

Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk
Author:  NOHUHU [ Mon Apr 04, 2016 12:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Downhaul tension question.
With a knot that will never work loose.

If that ever happens, you will understand why I emphasized that.
Author:  Spook [ Mon Apr 04, 2016 3:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Downhaul tension question.
I adjust the downhaul before every sail, loose for light wind days, firm for medium wind and tight for strong winds. I loosen it off after each sail to remove the tension and relax the sail.
Author:  NOHUHU [ Mon Apr 04, 2016 5:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Downhaul tension question.
Spook, as sailing theory goes, this makes sense.

I use downhauls, backhauls and travelers all the time on larger catamarans, but I find downhaul adjustments pointless on our tiny, boomless, furling rigs. Our flexible masts and sails shape themselves nicely to the changing wind.

I can get a slightly better downwind sail shape and some measurable performance gains by using a simple outhaul, along with tweaking the mainsheet. Or using a paddle/whisker pole at times. Or the peddles.

It's smart to take all tension off the downhaul for winter storage, but that never comes here in the islands so I keep the mast rigged and ready to go.
Author:  Spook [ Tue Apr 05, 2016 4:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Downhaul tension question.
NOHUHU wrote:
Spook, as sailing theory goes, this makes sense.

I use downhauls, backhauls and travelers all the time on larger catamarans, but I find downhaul adjustments pointless on our tiny, boomless, furling rigs. Our flexible masts and sails shape themselves nicely to the changing wind.

I can get a slightly better downwind sail shape and some measurable performance gains by using a simple outhaul, along with tweaking the mainsheet. Or using a paddle/whisker pole at times. Or the peddles.

It's smart to take all tension off the downhaul for winter storage, but that never comes here in the islands so I keep the mast rigged and ready to go.


All this is correct, and too be honest adjusting the downhaul does not make a huge amount of difference, but for those like me that want to play with the sail then play away. It's fun and I have to say I am very fast.
Author:  NOHUHU [ Tue Apr 05, 2016 4:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Downhaul tension question.
Well said. Cheers! 8)
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