TUNING TIP: RIG TUNING
It takes a lot of tuning if you want to make sure you have a quiver of sails that is ready to go. You can never expect to beat a top slalom or speed sailor with an 80%-tuned setup.
Besides figuring out how much downhaul is optimal for the rig, the adjustable outhaul system makes sure that the outhaul can be changed while sailing. You can sail faster and/or with more control across and upwind with extra outhaul and blast faster and with more acceleration (deep) downwind with less.
Boom height and harness lines are other possibilities for tuning and what works best for you can be very personal to your height, weight, sailing style.
To find the fastest combination you have to find settings where you feel 100% in control as this helps your mind to push it. Only when you feel you have more than enough control you can start by adjusting these 2 critical factors one-by-one, 1cm max each time.
1. Loosen the outhaul, to the point where you can notice you're slower and then tighten it just back 1cm to where you can't feel that impediment any longer.
2. Slide the boom up. It’s too high once you have NO board pressure under your front foot –meaning your crucial front foot control is lost.
We'll look at some board tuning tips next time, but the general rule is to find a balance where the complete setup can stabilize itself during a [speed] run so that the board and rig are as still as possible and the air flow generates extra power.
The only way to find balance is to seek and notice the extremes and work towards that happy medium.
Other opportunities for tuning besides downhaul and outhaul are different mast and batten configurations that can't be underestimated.
Technical sailors can get more out of their gear through thorough preparation. Time-spent getting all the settings right pays-off with performance - either in an event, ladder or a simple drag race against your rival!
