I have been a bit of a late starter using one of these new mastbase systems, but I am now totally converted. They are awesome!! It is just so handy to be able to quickly put more downhaul on (in the water!)

Today I was totally overpowered, cranked more downhaul on, bit more outhaul, 60 seconds later it was spot on! Great to see an innovation that has really added something to our sport.

ps. Sailed Shearwater today for the first time, fantastic spot. White sand, blue water I thought I was dreaming

Select to expand quote

blackattack said...

ps. Sailed Shearwater today for the first time, fantastic spot. White sand, blue water I thought I was dreaming

Geez must have been just like sailing in Yeppoon

Good to hear the powerbase is still helping all those p1ss weak bastards who cant manually downhaul too.

Wait til you try the XT shox

But you are right, the XT itself is awesome- the ability to adjust downhaul on the water is terrific and not having to bust ya muscles downhauling is a plus. Just gotta remember to rinse it with fresh water.

I know with new sail I got everything was very tight and had to have it just at the right level to get cams (or even the boom) on, if I didnt have the XT I would have got the s***'s with it by now.

Hoops your a funny bugger, the problem with the new race sails is they need so much down haul, the winder was the only option. The Ram F8 is especially tough, the newer F10 does not seem to need as much down haul.

Q. Where is Yeppoon?
A. Right near your knife and fork!

Congrats on the new bub.

shhhhhh........dont tell everyone but yes shearwater was crystal, kept thinking i was going to hit the botton and it was chest deep

They are great, even my three year old can use it. Like you said they are great for downhauling on the water with camed sails and making adjustments.

Mine was great too, trouble was they tend to break/wear fairly easily .

If someone made a better wheel out of Stainless rather than aluminium I would probably give them another try but those alumnium wheels @ $60 a pop was just too much.

They are good, but just bring a backup "standard" extension with you at all times, beacuse you WILL be needing it sooner than you think :P

I stopped using mine. Not entirely sure because they are good for all the reasons you mentioned. Might have to get some new line for it.

Broadwater has been crystal clear recently hasn't it? Why is that?

Other day I muffed a gybe and caught the uphaul. When I looked down I got vertigo. True story.

And Tuesday, amidst all the squalls and holes, there was 1 minute of perfection. 20 knots, sun came out, bright turquoise chest deep water, white sand and a perfect rainbow upwind.

I think they chew the rope up very quickly also, they are very close to having a good product.

Re the water so clear....... yer i noticed that at SW thought i was going to hit the bottom all the time but chest deep.

Usually its murky when we have rain...maybe all the crap as washed away from the drains and cannals and the water is running clear these days.....thats my guess any more?

Definately made for a pleasant change after sailing for months in poo brown water. I think washing the XT out in fresh water each time seems like a good idea. Sounds like the wheel starts to act like an anode on a boat motor??

Select to expand quote

blackattack said...

Definately made for a pleasant change after sailing for months in poo brown water. I think washing the XT out in fresh water each time seems like a good idea. Sounds like the wheel starts to act like an anode on a boat motor??

Yep, I notice mine looks better next time I use if I remove the rope from the wheel as well.

They have made some improvements from the early ones- the handle is bigger & I think they changed the retaining spring inside & have made the wheels stronger. I had an early XT and couldn't live with it. Now i've got 2 shox XT's and couldnt be happier with the product

just how easy the XTR is to use