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theconverted
Joined: 25 Jun 2015 Posts: 16 Location: Boston Area
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Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2018 10:31 am Post subject: Plastic Tug Cleats |
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I Apparently didn't get the memo. Was helping a friend put some down haul on their sail and they had a plastic one that i grabbed. Gave it a good yank and all I got was 12 stitches. |
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dllee
Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 5330 Location: East Bay
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Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2018 10:47 am Post subject: |
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A 6" long stick of 1" pvc works great. Experience. |
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grantmac017
Joined: 04 Aug 2016 Posts: 946
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Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2018 10:48 am Post subject: |
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Tie a bowline then use an old harness bar or just bare hands. |
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rtz
Joined: 31 Oct 2010 Posts: 296 Location: Oklahoma City
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Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2018 11:29 am Post subject: |
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I fold back the end of the downhaul line and loop it like this around my mast base that I use as a handle:
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Wind-NC.com
Joined: 30 May 2007 Posts: 980 Location: Formerly Cape Hatteras, now Burlington, VT!
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Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2018 11:48 am Post subject: Re: Plastic Tug Cleats |
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theconverted wrote: | I Apparently didn't get the memo. Was helping a friend put some down haul on their sail and they had a plastic one that i grabbed. Gave it a good yank and all I got was 12 stitches. |
Ouch! I haven't seen one of the plastic tools in 15+ years. If you find one, destroy it and throw it away, or figure out some other non-load bearing use for it.
Hope your hand heals up quickly! _________________ formerly known as hodad.andy
http://wind-nc.com |
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nw30
Joined: 21 Dec 2008 Posts: 6485 Location: The eye of the universe, Cen. Cal. coast
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Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2018 11:58 am Post subject: |
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No tools required.
Wrap the downhaul around you harness hook, while you're wearing it, and sitting down, put one foot on the bottom of the base extension, push with that foot, and lean back, serious leverage that way.
It's also a great method for when you need to adjust the downhaul at the water's edge, but your "tool" is back in your vehicle. |
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theconverted
Joined: 25 Jun 2015 Posts: 16 Location: Boston Area
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Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2018 12:08 pm Post subject: |
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For everyone responding with how tos, I actually have two metal tugs in my gear bag and have no problem with them. As a newer windsurfer, I had never seen a plastic one before and didn't know its consequences. This was more of a PSA to learn from my misfortune aimed at the newer guys who might buy some older rigs with one and hurt themselves.
Throw them away! |
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swchandler
Joined: 08 Nov 1993 Posts: 10588
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Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2018 2:21 pm Post subject: |
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Back in the early 90s I stopped trying to downhaul sails using a handheld Clamcleat tool, because I started having problems with my back that manifested itself in my right hip. Painfully, I found that manually downhauling sails puts an incredible stress on one's body. At that time, I bought a Rig-It-Right lever tool, and with its use my physical problems quickly vanished.
In more recent years, I added a Chinook winch which is configured to work with the Euro-pin mast extensions. This tool is even simpler to operate, and it gives you a huge mechanical advantage. Use of these simple downhaul tools makes achieving the correct downhaul effortless, and in addition, you no longer have sit down and get your butt wet or dirty to accomplish the task.
I still use a metal handheld Clamcleat for getting the right outhaul tension, and it's quite handy for uncleating and releasing the downhaul line while derigging. |
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U2U2U2
Joined: 06 Jul 2001 Posts: 5467 Location: Shipsterns Bluff, Tasmania. Colorado
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Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2018 3:04 pm Post subject: |
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I use a Chinook downhaul crank to downhaul.
I use a branch/ section of a apple tree to dislodge the rope from cleat when derigging.
I hope the hand heals and is useable. _________________ K4 fins
4Boards....May the fours be with you
http://www.k4fins.com/fins.html
http://4boards.co.uk/ |
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NOVAAN
Joined: 28 Sep 1994 Posts: 1555
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Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2018 4:16 pm Post subject: |
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Yep. The old back requires attention these days. Even with the less tension of the modern sails I use a crank. |
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