I have similar problem with the RDM skinny masts, big sail, light board, and fast current in condition like 4.3 or stronger. What happens is that when curent is fast, the light board floats downstream faster pushing the clew down sinking it. The RDM mast makes it worse by sinking the rig altogether. Lifting the tip won't do since newer sails have channels that air would easily flow away underneath the sail and will not lift the tip.
This is even worse when the sail is big and all of those conditions happen. I usually have to spin the whole rig 360 degrees around mast first to create apparent wind into the sail so it floats. This is lots of work and one is in the water for much longer than one would wish for. When this happens, it makes me look like a beginner just fortunate to get up after many exhaustive tries. Ever encountered this and have any tips ?
Sometimes the clew will sink on you. Windsurfing isn't perfect!
I find RDMs on the whole easier to waterstart.
If you hold the mast near the tip the board will move downwind into a good position for waterstarting.
If the clew is submerged, when you lift the mast (I find about 1m from the tip is a good place to lift from) instead of lifting straight up, slice the sail out of the water in a plane parallel to the plane of the sail. Reach across your body and pull the sail up and over your head. That way you are not lifting any water other than what is in the luff tube, just pulling the sail out of it.
Don't lift the mast too high until the clew is entirely clear or you will encourage the clew to dig in. Just high enough for wind to flow under it.
Another alternative is to buy a waterstarter, which floats the clew, or attach a bit of pool noodle to your clew.
Remember how hard it is to waterstart and work even harder not to fall in.
Commit to the inside of the gybe so that if you fall in, its upwind and you have a chance of keeping the rig flying.
Keep the rig flying if you can.
The actual clearing of the sail from the water method depends so much on the wind, water state and equipment that I use different methods in different circumstances, but I haven't actually studied what I do, I make it up at the time.
General rule is: if you cant clear the sail from within arms length of the boom, then move further up the mast toward the tip and clear it from the top down.
The faster you can swim upwind holding the mast, the better.
my two tips would be:
1) make sure you get as quickly as you can to the top of you mast when you stack it.
2) try and swim the tip of the mast to point towards the oncoming waves (only if you have enough time and if the swell isn't to big)
This has a number of advantages:
- it's relatively easy to lift the mast tip out of the water regardless of which direction the wind some from. Once the tip is out the wind will catch the sail and easily lift it free even if the board is upside down.
- if the clew is sunk under the water lifting the tip will allow the wind to catch and pull / flip the sails clear.
- if you are about to get hit by the next set you it's always easier to hold on to the tip of the mast and even better push it under the wave. It's a bit like you are duck diving your rig. Make sure the board isn't between you and the wave though
- it probably wouldn't hurt for you to learn how to flip and upside down board with your feet while in the water start position
Also, you might actually want to practice all of this on a day when the swell isn't too big. Once it gets above a certain size you gear really is your secondary concern.
What Windxtasy said; pull the sail parallel to the water and only start lifting up when the clew is clear, I find keeping the arm extended and swimming upwind really helps.
If youre starting close to the tip, same technique, get the sail airborne then handwalk your way down the mast till you get to the boom.
If you do have to swim the sail through the water to get it around to the right position to waterstart, grab it up close to the tip and tow it round mast first, I often find once the sail is across the wind all that needs doing is to give the sail a little bit of elevation at the tip whilst still towing it forward and the whole sail will fly free.
I think I spent a lot more time than most swimming round my board and sail trying to figure the waterstart out, looking like a half drowned seal. Lucky me no learn in open ocean with all the grey-suits swimming round
Don't know if this will help but it's what I do, Swim your kit into position and place the back of the board just under the mast....This helps the rig float a bit. Next swim backwards to let the water drain from the sail, Then holding the back of the board with your free hand grab the boom or the mast just above the boom with the other hand and whip it over your arm and above your head and it should easily start to fly. With bigger sails, like everyone has said its sometimes easier to swim to the tip and lift it enough for the wind to get under then work your way down the mast to the boom. The important thing is to get the sail flying as quick as you can, When it's up and flying it's far easier to survive chop or waves and wait for the right gust to get going.
Thanks all. Many good ideas here that I have to try next time I am out in the water.
