Select to expand quotebel29 said..
I've been using them for years now including on large full cam race sails. With a bit of care they will last for years (eg, avoid getting sand in the mechanism; and derig by releasing the rope from the cleat rather than with the ratchet). Most of mine are on their second rope and are still working fine.
I have been tempted to get one, mostly for the cam sail, anything else rigs very easily, but they seem to be limited to 36 cm RDM extension? Why is that? Most other RDM extensions go to 44-48.
Select to expand quoteduzzi said..bel29 said..
I've been using them for years now including on large full cam race sails. With a bit of care they will last for years (eg, avoid getting sand in the mechanism; and derig by releasing the rope from the cleat rather than with the ratchet). Most of mine are on their second rope and are still working fine.
I have been tempted to get one, mostly for the cam sail, anything else rigs very easily, but they seem to be limited to 36 cm RDM extension? Why is that? Most other RDM extensions go to 44-48.
Or ... you can just do it like Johan Soe: by hand with zero visible effort. Around 6'
Select to expand quoteflyingmujol said..flyingmujol said..
This is my second PowerXT extension, never had a problem with the previous one. Somehow yesterday the rope slid off the ratchet while de-rigging. It does not seem easy to put it back. Any ideas?
The rope is damaged. It must be replaced.
Keep in mind that you only use the Duotone PowerXT rope (special diameter), it is very very expensive (I thought).
I use around 10cms more extension than is needed to stop the sail dragging in the water near my backfoot.
Race sails are cut too low in the foot for me or it could be my bad technique.
Best of luck pulling the downhaul with no winch or harness hook.
I deliberately start with too much downhaul as its much easier to release than apply.
Select to expand quotePcdefender said..
I use around 10cms more extension than is needed to stop the sail dragging in the water near my backfoot.
That sound crazy (!), try moving the mastfoot further back instead. The sails are designed for a certain rake angle, and the foot is cut for that such that is will foot of the sail will be parallel with the deck of the board. Sometimes too much downhaul can give excessive rake of the sail, so try easing off on the downhaul, as well as moving the mastfoot further back.
I can easily downhaul my Formula sails by using the harness hook, while wearing the harness. It would be interesting though to be able to more easily adjust the downhaul while being on the water.
Select to expand quoteCuchufleta said..flyingmujol said..flyingmujol said..
This is my second PowerXT extension, never had a problem with the previous one. Somehow yesterday the rope slid off the ratchet while de-rigging. It does not seem easy to put it back. Any ideas?
The rope is damaged. It must be replaced.
Keep in mind that you only use the Duotone PowerXT rope (special diameter), it is very very expensive (I thought).
Yes, almost twice as expensive than regular dyneema rope.
Even though my rope wasn't slipping, it was looking a little tired. I just turned the rope around the other way so the fresh part was doing the gripping when under tension. The rope is expensive , for rope , but cheap in the scheme of things. Same with a $30 tendon join that some people dangerously try to get maximum life out of.
Select to expand quoteCuchufleta said..flyingmujol said..flyingmujol said..
This is my second PowerXT extension, never had a problem with the previous one. Somehow yesterday the rope slid off the ratchet while de-rigging. It does not seem easy to put it back. Any ideas?
The rope is damaged. It must be replaced.
Keep in mind that you only use the Duotone PowerXT rope (special diameter), it is very very expensive (I thought).
Marlow Formula X line 3.8mm.
Don't use Marlow Formuline, it will slip.
Costs no more than any other Dyneema rope.
Select to expand quoteduzzi said..
I have been tempted to get one, mostly for the cam sail, anything else rigs very easily, but they seem to be limited to 36 cm RDM extension? Why is that? Most other RDM extensions go to 44-48.
SDM one goes to 42cm (and can be used at 42!), which should be fine for most no? if you need more you're probably not using the right length mast?
as for the downhauling by hand: yes, of course you can (I can too, and with a properly threaded multi pulley extension also without much effort) but that's not the main advantage of this extension (note he has to get down on his sail bag, both for the initial downhaul as well as for every subsequent incremental adjustment)
Select to expand quotebel29 said..duzzi said..
I have been tempted to get one, mostly for the cam sail, anything else rigs very easily, but they seem to be limited to 36 cm RDM extension? Why is that? Most other RDM extensions go to 44-48.
SDM one goes to 42cm (and can be used at 42!), which should be fine for most no? if you need more you're probably not using the right length mast?
as for the downhauling by hand: yes, of course you can (I can too, and with a properly threaded multi pulley extension also without much effort) but that's not the main advantage of this extension (note he has to get down on his sail bag, both for the initial downhaul as well as for every subsequent incremental adjustment)
RDM. I had a number of sails that required more than 36cm. Latest the AC-0 6.1, that rigs with 44, and again many RDM extensions go to 48. Bit of a moot issue because I have just one sail that I need to use a chinook winch with ... and I am not sure that sitting on the ground is much of a problem ...
Have used the Power XT 2 (5 each), and XT 1 (1 each), for wave sailing with Ezzy sails, 3 in one location and 3 in another. I thread the line through the pulleys rather than loop on some sails, because the pulleys differ. Using the ratchet to release tension when de-rigging works fine. When the wind changes during a session, or launch point needs less downhaul but wind is stronger on the outside, no worries. Just drop in the water and make minor or major changes in downhaul; and outhaul as well. Sandy Pacific beaches in high wind and rocky beaches with no special care needed. Do not use the Chinook hourglass UJ, rather, the tendon design so there is adequate clearance for the lever. Downhaul lines last quite a long time.
Try an Ezzy D-ring in combination with the Power XT.
No more threading.
www.ezzy.com/accessories/d-ring/
