just thinking today ,about a outhaul systems ...

i have used one ,but took it of ,mainly because the string gave me the ****s .

now i'm into GPS ,is it a big bonus having one ,and should i get one .to increase my possibilities
of getting better speeds .

Yes you should.
Yes they are annoying at times but the ability to bag out the sail for downwind runs is important.
Also useful when hopelessly over powered (which never seems to happen in NSW) going back up wind.

Tardy, im no speed guru. But i wouldnt sail without adjustable outhaul. Ezzys love em. So quick to adjust the OH on the fly. No more threading the clew. Just slip the cord over the pulleys n crank it how you want. Love it. But yeah the cord sucks when it hooks in mid gybe n rips you in.

best thing ever

Select to expand quote

aussieboats said..
best thing ever

And added swing-weight to the end of the boom *fist pump*

But seriously, it is swings and roundabout. If you aren't going downwind at > 120 deg, then a bagged out sail isn't going to help much. But if you are, then in all likelyhood you will be stopping at the end of the run (excluding formula/foil/racing), so you can just manually adjust it for that speed-run.

Depends on whether you value $100-in-pocket vs simplicity of outhauling.

advantages - better speeds downwind because you can bag out the sail more
easier to sail upwind with more outhaul
easy to adjust with one pull.

disadvantages - rigging takes longer
getting it set up right is very annoying
the ropes get tangled around things
it is harder to move your back hand right down the boom for gybing

I have never been able to adjust mine adequately while sailing - letting it off yes, but not tightening it. I still need to stop to do that, but it is a lot easier than having to go around to the clew end and uncleat etc.

I have it on all my booms, its true I only use it to bag the sail out on speed days, but the fact of having it makes you fiddle more with the outhaul and learn about your sails. Only issue a couple of times the metal clips damaged my hands during crashes.

Ever gone for an hour and found the wind backing off or filling in to much Usually happens around the 45min mark)?

AO makes a world of difference.

Select to expand quote

Windxtasy said..
...
disadvantages - rigging takes longer
getting it set up right is very annoying
the ropes get tangled around things
it is harder to move your back hand right down the boom for gybing

You forgot... "tearing the skin off your fingers during a duck-gybe" ... I have seen the results on a few people

I started using an adjustable outhaul about a year ago and would say it's definatly been an improvement. I set my sail differently depending on what I'm trying to achieve eg very deep for 2 sec or NM and fairly flat for Alphas or Hours. I think it's underestermated that you need a flatter sail to go fast across the wind (or slightly upwind) which is essential to achieve a decent hour or Alpha.

Yes, it's very helpful to bag the sail for the downwind speed run and then flatten it for the upwind. I have run adjustment on only one side for years at Sandy Point for simplicity, but this year I added adjustment to the other side of one boom, as I found it very usedful at Lake George, where I didn't always know which tack I would be doing speed runs on.

The Formula and Raceboard racers sometimes have quite elaborate continuous chord around the mast and lots of thin bungie chord to keep everything in reach and from swinging and dangling, but that stuff is not realy nessasary for GPS stuff. IMHO, keep it simple is best.

Select to expand quote

mathew said..

Windxtasy said..
...
disadvantages - rigging takes longer
getting it set up right is very annoying
the ropes get tangled around things
it is harder to move your back hand right down the boom for gybing

You forgot... "tearing the skin off your fingers during a duck-gybe" ... I have seen the results on a few people

What's a duck gybe

An ancient turning technique. Went out with the drop kick. ( more correctly spelt with a "t" ... duct gybe)

Thank you everyone ,,,going for a chinook outhaul system ...

Select to expand quote

Windxtasy said..
advantages - better speeds downwind because you can bag out the sail more
easier to sail upwind with more outhaul
easy to adjust with one pull.

disadvantages - rigging takes longer
getting it set up right is very annoying
the ropes get tangled around things
it is harder to move your back hand right down the boom for gybing

I have never been able to adjust mine adequately while sailing - letting it off yes, but not tightening it. I still need to stop to do that, but it is a lot easier than having to go around to the clew end and uncleat etc.

Rigging is quicker, simply slip the rope over the out haul pulley no knots or anything, I've got them on 2 of my sails Pryde come with them already built in.

Select to expand quote

tbwonder said..
Yes you should.
Yes they are annoying at times but the ability to bag out the sail for downwind runs is important.
Also useful when hopelessly over powered (which never seems to happen in NSW) going back up wind.

Maybe not for your heavier buggers ( couldn't say heavyweight for you TB ) but I often use it to flatten the sail when overpowered..

Select to expand quote

Windxtasy said..
advantages - better speeds downwind because you can bag out the sail more
easier to sail upwind with more outhaul
easy to adjust with one pull.

disadvantages - rigging takes longer
getting it set up right is very annoying
the ropes get tangled around things
it is harder to move your back hand right down the boom for gybing

I have never been able to adjust mine adequately while sailing - letting it off yes, but not tightening it. I still need to stop to do that, but it is a lot easier than having to go around to the clew end and uncleat etc.

Doesn't take longer to rig if your sail has a plastic 'cleat' to just wrap the loop over , or you have an applecore fitting. Put it far enough back and no issues gybing, It is a pain trying to pack it in around things in the car..

Select to expand quote

kato said..

mathew said..

Windxtasy said..
...
disadvantages - rigging takes longer
getting it set up right is very annoying
the ropes get tangled around things
it is harder to move your back hand right down the boom for gybing

You forgot... "tearing the skin off your fingers during a duck-gybe" ... I have seen the results on a few people

What's a duck gybe

When you stuff your gybe and have to duck as you go flying past the gear on the exit..