A s s e m b l y & R i g g i n g
3. ATTACH THE BOOM
The NX sails are designed to be used in conjunction with an adjustable outhaul system. If you are not
currently using an adjustable outhaul, Sailworks highly recommends that you try the one supplied
with this sail.
Before attaching the boom to the mast, follow the instructions enclosed with the adjustable outhaul
for setup and use. Adjust your boom to the length specified for the sail.
Attach the boom to the mast at the middle of the boom opening and re-adjust it after the sail is fully
rigged. Be careful not to attach it too high in the boom opening - you must account for the sail to be
downhauled further. Be careful not to pinch the mast sleeve under the boom clamp.
Lace the outhaul through the clew grommet that matches your height preference. Pull the outhaul
completely so the sail is flat, using the recommended boom length. This setting - loose downhaul and
tight outhaul - makes it very easy to put the cams back on the mast, and adjust the camber tension, if
necessary.
4. ADJUST THE CAMBERS
Your new NX sail comes with Sailworks’ unique Variable Tension Camber
(VTC) system. This VTC system allows you to adjust the camber tension
separately from the batten tension, and also adapts the camber inducer to fit
a variety of mast diameters.
With the sail assembled as described in steps 1-3
above (i.e. loose downhaul and tight outhaul),
open the zipper access port at each camber and
re-seat any cams that may have come off the
mast: push down and back on the batten from above, while pushing up
and forward on the cam from the underside of the sail. Next, pop open
the adjustment buckle by pulling up on the webbing tail. The adjustment
buckle “snap-fits” into the side of the cam. To tension the cam, pull the
webbing strap forward (toward the mast) while simultaneously pushing
the batten down and back from the mast – see photo. As you push
down on the batten, work the slack webbing free by pulling the strap
forward and back a few times. Rotate the cam from side to side with
your hand to equalize the strap tension within the camber. The webbing
strap inside the cam is held very snugly so it may take more than one
attempt to pull out all the slack.
The correct VTC setting should tension the
mast sleeve snugly without impeding rotation.
Set the cams tight against the mast for optimal
control and upwind drive. Set the cams slightly
looser for easier rotation and better handling
for slalom reaching.
Snap the adjustment buckle firmly back into
the side of the cam. It should sit flush with the
side of the cam when closed. If the cams are
set very tight, and the zipper is difficult to
close, wait until the sail is fully downhauled
before trying to close the zippers. If the zipper
is still difficult to close, you’ve set the cams too
tight. Release some camber tension by opening
the adjustment buckle and rotating the camber
once. Once the cam tension is set, you don’t
need to re-adjust it for each session!
5. TUNE THE DOWNHAUL - CONTROLLING THE SHAPE AND TWIST
(Refer also to the tuning chart on the following pages.)
The downhaul controls the sail’s shape, twist and wind range performance. Discover its effect
by slowly pulling and releasing the downhaul line. If necessary, use an easy-rig or downhauling
tool so it is easier to pull hard. Observe the change in depth and tension of the leading edge
(front 1/3 of the sail), and the flattening and loosening of the head area (upper leech between
batten #2 & #3) as more downhaul is pulled. Specifically notice the change in the angles, or
twist, of the battens; the top batten should open to leeward the furthest—called “progressive
twist. The twist profile is cut into the sail, but is ultimately controlled by the downhaul tension.
More downhaul induces more twist; less downhaul allows less twist. Twist improves sail
efficiency and makes the sail easier to control when fully powered. Less twist is more powerful
for light winds, but more difficult to control when fully powered.
The ideal downhaul setting gives a tight luff and a lean (not blunt) entry, with the leech area
between the ends of the top three battens loose. The static looseness to the leech is normal
and will pull tight as the sail twists open under wind load. See the photos on the next page for
specific visual references to downhaul tension and leech looseness. Once you’re familiar with
the correct downhaul setting, re-check the mast base height. If necessary, re-adjust it so that
the tack pulley sits very close to the mast base cleat and the sail is rigged as low as possible.
6. TENSION THE STREAMLINED BATTEN TENSIONERS (SBT’s)
The battens are tensioned
using the hex-key tool
found under the strap in
the tack handle. Insert the
hex-key into the cap screw
inside the SBT at the leech
end of each batten. Turn
the hex-key to the right
(clockwise) to increase
batten tension. Tension the
battens JUST until the wrinkles across the batten pockets
disappear. Look for a continuous smooth shape to the
sailcloth alongside the batten pocket (see photos). You
should see a smooth reflection, with no wrinkles alongside
the battens. Replace the hex-key tool back in its pocket
above the tack handle. The batten tension will need to be
re-tightened after one or two uses as the sail sets into its
final shape, but then it need not be readjusted for every
session!
CAUTION: DO NOT OVER-TENSION THE BATTENS
– POOR ROTATION, EXCESSIVE FOIL DEPTH AND
DAMAGE TO THE SAIL CAN RESULT.
7. BALANCE THE OUTHAUL SETTING
Release any outhaul tension and allow the sail to relax naturally to its fullest depth. Pull just
enough outhaul tension to pull the sail up off the boom tube and tighten the clew area. This is
a good all-around outhaul setting. If necessary, re-adjust the back end of your boom to just
touch the clew of the sail and tie off the outhaul. If you are using the adjustable outhaul system
you need to set your boom length slightly longer to allow for the outhaul to be pulled flatter.
From a neutral setting, slightly less outhaul (negative) will make the sail fuller and more
powerful for reaching, but it will also be harder to control when over-powered or sailing upwind.
For upwind sailing or over-powered conditions, a small amount of outhaul tension (positive
4-5 cm, or 2”) will improve performance by making the sail flatter and tighter.
To save time rigging next session, take note or mark off the position of successful
downhaul and outhaul settings so they are easy to quickly repeat next session.
See the Sailworks website – www.sailworks.com - for more rigging information and
frequently asked questions.
Needs more batten tension
Correct batten tension
