Waterstart: advice needed

juanlema · Joined: 23 Oct 2000 Posts: 32

Hi there, again:

Ive been tortured a bit by uphauling a 6.7 diablo/neil pryde sail...as I only have this one, I intend to try waterstart, as some of you strongly suggested. My question is: regarding my skills ( begginer to intermediate) and the sail above ( have a bic 283, if it matters), which wind range would be more desirable to practice in?

Thanks once more guys,

Juan

spyder · Joined: 24 Sep 1996 Posts: 2790 Location: oahu

Juan -- where do you sail?

That 6.7 is a lot of sail, but hey go for it! I really like teaching waterstart by 2 main steps first:

1). get the beach start wired, then move into a little deeper water and get that down. Keep getting in deeper water until you are waterstarting!

2). practice flying the sail, with your back leg on deck. The idea is to keep the board and sail in position to waterstart. You move the rig forward or back, and shift your body to keep everything lined up.

With these 2 exercises, you can combine them to pull off the waterstart.

The only remaining trick is to get that sail out of the water. That is going to be the biggest pain for you with that 6.7.

I could ramble on and on here, but why dont you let me know what you are interested in me telling you, and I can post more later.

I think those Short Board videos deal with water starts very well.

nosmas1 · Joined: 26 Aug 2000 Posts: 25

Turn for the Better does for sure discuss waterstarts in length and getting the rig out of the water and flying.

Sam

juanlema · Joined: 23 Oct 2000 Posts: 32

Thank you, Spyder: with that sort of detailed explanation you had to be an instructor!

I m going to stick with the exercises you mentioned. If I face any further trouble ( which is very possible...) Il ask your help again, OK?

...and thank you also for the video tip:Ive already placed an order for it.

Juan

spyder · Joined: 24 Sep 1996 Posts: 2790 Location: oahu

Juan -

I dug up one of my older posts on this subject, here it is:

I thought I should be clear on flying the sail.
Once you have grabbed the mast and attempting to lift it free of the water, you should simultaneously lift and push it towards the wind. This helps get the wind underneath and assist in lifting. Once the clew is clear of the water (you might have to work the mast up and down, and forward to clear it completely), then you can transfer your other hand to the boom and work the other hand down, and move that one to the boom as well.

Now its just a matter of controlling the sail and board position so you can mount it without being thrown overboard.

Crouch low (bend your knees) to anticipate the force of the sail pulling you once you are up.

spyder · Joined: 24 Sep 1996 Posts: 2790 Location: oahu

Juan -

I dug this up from one of my older posts, here it is:

I thought I should be clear on flying the sail.
Once you have grabbed the mast and attempting to lift it free of the water, you should simultaneously lift and push it towards the wind. This helps get the wind underneath and assist in lifting. Once the clew is clear of the water (you might have to work the mast up and down, and forward to clear it completely), then you can transfer your other hand to the boom and work the other hand down, and move that one to the boom as well.

Now its just a matter of controlling the sail and board position so you can mount it without being thrown overboard.

Crouch low (bend your knees) to anticipate the force of the sail pulling you once you are up.

juanlema · Joined: 23 Oct 2000 Posts: 32

I was looking for windsurfing books and only find beginners stuff...you should write one!
If you do, just let me know.

Thanks

Juan

juanlema · Joined: 23 Oct 2000 Posts: 32

Thats

juanlema · Joined: 23 Oct 2000 Posts: 32

Thats the one from Peter Hart, right? ill try to get a copy.

Thanks Sam

Juan

Windlover · Joined: 06 Oct 2015 Posts: 623

Hey Juan,

Couple of tips for getting that HUGE sail flying for a waterstart.

With board in position, get the sail on the downwind side with the clew towards the front of the board. With your front hand, grab the front of the boom and pull the mast towards the tail of the board. Use your back hand to push the tail of the board down, pull the mast over the tail and let the board float back up under the boom. This lifts the mast out of the water and allows the sail to drain. This method will save a lot of energy. Now, grab the mast about 12 above the boom and lift. The wind will help lift the sail out of the water. Grab the boom with your back hand and start flying the sail. When sail and board are positioned, grab the boom with your front hand. You can pivot the mast forward or backward to get the board perpendicular to the wind. Place your back foot just in front of the rear strap. At this point, straighten your front arm and pull slightly with the back. This gets more air under the sail and causes the nose of the board to bear off the wind. With enough wind, the sail should pull you up. Try to get your front foot up fairly soon. Stay in a crouched position to keep from getting judo thrown. If the sail is pulling too much, sheet out. One of the main things to think about with waterstarting is that it IS easy. Let the board lift the mast out of the water, let the wind lift the sail and you out of the water. The more work the equipment does the less work you do. There are other things that we can help you with as you advance with your waterstarts. As for the amount of wind, 12-15kts should be enough. If you are trying in ligher wind than this it will be harder to get up. I can detail that method later if you wish. Hope this will help you up.
Windlover