I have recently purchased a Loft Switchblade 7.3, have watched the rigging video, read instructions but I can't snap on the cams . Have tried full down haul , then out haul (various settings) and release down haul but there doesn't seem to be enough room in the luff pocket to manoeuvre the cams into position.
Any tricks I should be aware of?
BTW I am using a Loft SDM mast.

Nick,
I think if you play with the amount of outhaul i.e. not fully outhauled there should be some extra room to play with to get cams on. The SDM will make things tighter but not impossible. Being new (i assume) the sail would not have stretched much either. Make sure there are no spacers on cams too.

Don't know if it works but you might try feeding the cams onto the mast when inserting into luff sleeve - this is how they recommend rigging the similar narrow luff Maui Sails Titan.

Kel72 and Firiebob will be able to give you some experienced pointers if you pm them.

Thanks mate, hope Firie reads the post, I did try feeding the mast thru the cams and it rigged ok without too much stress, however I would prefer to rig using the correct method. I may get to use today as we are expecting a sea breeze.

Hi Nick when you pull on the outhaul then go back and completely let off the down haul.
then try putting the cams on, start from the top.

Hi Vando , I did try that , also varied the outhaul to experiment but I couldn't even get the cams halfway behind the mast .
I'll give it another shot this morning.

Hi Nicko, I've never used a SDM with my Loft's, after my last SDM broke way out at sea I switched to RDM's, first with Ezzy sails and now Lofts.

I have a 7.8 which might be a 2010 and a 2012 6.8 both of which are very easy to rig. I know Kel had trouble with his 2011 7.3 and SDM but I'm fairly sure he got it sorted, I'll give him a heads up re your post.

Me, mast (rdm) up the luff pocket over the cams, I don't jam it in all the way but pull the head down a little like a no cam. Then moderate down haul, boom on and out haul all the way. I then let all the down haul off, because there is tension from the out haul I pull the bottom of the sail up the mast a bit. Now wack the cams on, push down at end of batten with one hand (I think, I do it on auto without thinking) and with the other push up on the cam. Now with a RDM this is very easy they just about fall on. Then of course down haul to how you like it, I like a reasonable amount. I then set the out haul to neutral, don't go on the printed setting, Loft measure the boom from the top of the cut out to the lower leach eyelet. I make the tack strap firm, I think Choco has his tight on his race sails, play with it I guess.

Now I'm no expert and deff not sponsored but this works for me, hope it helps. I helped a SA guy last week over the phone who was having trouble and he's ok now, if you want PM me your mobile and I'll ring.

Cheers Bob.

Edit, I think and type so slow Vando's jumped me

Have you fitted the SDM cams?

Are there cam spacers to be taken out.
I too had heaps of swearing at a loft switchblade, about 2009. Took more effort to rig up than to go sailing. !

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shear tip said...

Have you fitted the SDM cams?

Sure have, managed to get cams on after lots of trial and effort, then couldn't get the muvvers off, so just slid the mast off gently.

Have you checked with the person/sjop you bought it from?

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Rob11 said...

Have you checked with the person/sjop you bought it from?

Well I watched the official video, checked the instructions pdf, talked to other Loft users, I feel as the sails loosens up it will be ok, actually looks bloody good rigged, just need some wind now.

I've got the 2012 7.8 Switchblade Nick and it rigs really easy, albeit on Loft RDM. Loft may have made the luff pocket slightly wider in this model. This a great sail with great range and top end, and I was surprised at the deep profile you still get with lesser downhaul on RDM.

I ran a 7m blade on the wrong kind or SDM for a while, and if you need to you can grind a few mm off the batten side of the SDM cams as they are solid plastic and still very strong, and you can always use spacers again if you need to. It was very easy with a bench grinder. This may be something you could try.

After using RDM I'll probably never go back to SDM again, for me the power and planing is as good and with great feel in chop. And I dont worry about breaking masts any more.