RS Venture Connect Quick start guide

Rigging Guide V3

Safety Instuctions
Introduction
1. RS Connect
2 - Preparation
2.1 - Preparation
2.2 - Adding the Mainsheet Bridle
3 - Rigging the mast
3.1 - Fitting the spreaders to the mast
3.2 - Spreader ends
3.3 - Stepping the mast
4 - Boom
4.1 - Rigging the gnav
5 - Sails
5.1 - Rigging the mainsheet
5.2 - Hoisting the jib
5.3 - Furling the jib
5.4 - Hoisting the mainsail
5.5 - Rigging the outhaul
5.6 - Rigging the downhaul
6 - Gennaker
6.1 - Rigging the gennaker halyard
6.2 - Rigging the gennaker
6.3 - Rigging the gennaker sheet
7 - Keel
7.1 - Lowering the keel
8 - Rudders
8.1 - Fitting the rudders
9 - Reeng
9.1 - Rigging the reeng line
9.2 - Reeng the mainsail
10.RS Connect SCS
10.1 SCS pack contents
11. Removing old ttings
12. Control lines
12.1 - Adding control line cleats to the foredeck
12.2 - Adding control line takeaways
12.3 - Adding the gnav control line
12.4 - Adding the downhaul control line
13. Seats
13.1 - Adding the toe rail inserts
13.2 - Adding the seat inserts
13.3 - Adding the seats
13.4- Adding the seat retainers
13.5- Adding the toerails
14. Centre console
14.1 - Adding the centre console
14.2 - Jib furling line
14.3 - Gennaker halyard ring line
14.4 - Downhaul control line
14.5 - Gnav control line
14.6 - Mainsheet
14.7 - Jib sheets
15. Steering lines
15.1 - steering line tidies
15.2 - steering handles
15.3 - Preparing the tillers
15.4 - Adding the steering lines
15.5 - Adding the steering line elastics
15.6 - Calibrating the steering lines
16. Elastic takeaways
16.1 - Gennaker uphaul/downhaul takeaway
16.2 - Gennaker sheet tidies
16.3 - Mainsheet bridle takeaways
Contents

17. RS Connect SCS
Power Assist
18. SCS PA Installation
18.1 - Cutting the rear hatch
18.2 - Assembling the foam tray
18.3 - Control arms
19. SCS PA Operating Guide
19.1 - Preparation
19.2 - Ashore
19.3 - Aoat
20. Power Mainsheet Operating
Guide
20.1 - Motor Drum Line
20.2 - Mainsheet System
20.3 - Boom Slug / Track
20.4 - Elastic Tensioner
20.5 - Using the Power Boom
21 - Sip / Pu󰀨 Operating Guide
21.1 - Fitting the Sip / Pu󰀨 Controller
21.2 - Using the Sip / Pu󰀨 Controller
22 - SCS PA Problem Solving
22.1 - Troubleshooting
22.2 - Control Board Lights
23. SCS Modications
24 - Completion
25 - Sailing hints
25.1 - Introduction
26. Maintainance
26.2 - Foil care
26.3 - Spar care
26.4 - Sail care
26.5 - Fixtures and ttings
27 - Warranty
28 - Knots
14.1 - Bowline
14.2 - Knot-on-knot
14.3 - Figure of eight
14.4 - How to rig a masthead oat
29 - Glossary
Contents

RS Venture Connect:
11
9
11 RACE
9
RS Venture Connect SCS:
11
9
11 RACE
9
RS Venture Connect SCS Race: - With full rescue support at a World Sailing Event
11
9
11 RACE
9
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS:
RIG SELECTION

RS Venture Connect:
Must have a minimum of 2 people totalling a crew weight of 150kg as stated in the
owner’smanual.
If this is your rst boat, or if you are changing to a type of craft that you
are not familiar with, for your own safety please ensure you have adequate
experience before assuming command of the craft. If you are unsure, RS, an RS
Dealer or your National Sailing Federation will advise you of a local sailing school.
RS Venture SCS:
Due to the complex nature of this product it is vital that all sailing sessions have
an able bodied person onboard the boat to assist in the event of mechanical or
electrical failure.
The RS Venture Connect SCS meets the requirments of the Recreational Craft
Directive 2013/53/EU for capsize recovery. However, it must be apreciated that in
some circumstances the craft may fully invert or remain on its side during a capsize.
A combined mobile crew weight of 150KG will be required to right the boat from a
fully inverted position if a rescue boat is not available.
The RS Venture Connect SCS and Power Assist Package can be used in many
scenarios and the Rigging Guide only gives generic advice for its operation. Owners
and operators should take onboard the spirit of this advice and apply it to their
unique environment.
The RS Venture SCS and Power Assist Package presents many risks in the event of
an accident including entrapment and entanglement that may result in serious injury
or death.
Owners and Operators should risk access their own unique environment and take
appropriate action before venturing aoat.
RS Sailing recommend the following windspeed / rig combinations when using the
twin seat conguration:
• 12 - 14knts the main sail is reefed
• 17 - 18knts the spinnaker is not own
• 24 - 25knts sailing is aborted
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS:
CREW & SEAMANSHIP

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS:
KEEL SECURITY
DO NOT go sailing until you ensure that the keel strap is secured correctly.
DO NOT go sailing if the securing device is damaged, if you are unsure please contact
your local RS Dealer for advice.
If your boat is tted with a secondary keel securing device please make sure this is
secured correctly before going sailing.
Relace the Velcro securing strap every 12 months.
When using the RS Venture Connect SCS ensure that the correct risk assesments are
carried out before going sailing. This will need to be done for secic clubs. If you are
unsure please contact RS Sailing for guidance.

Introduction
Congratulations on the purchase of your new RS Venture Connect, and thank you for
choosing an RS product. We are condent that you will have many hours of great sailing
and racing in this truly excellent design. The RS Venture Connect is an exciting boat to
sail and o󰀨ers fantastic performance. This manual has been compiled to help you to gain
the maximum enjoyment from your RS Venture Connect, in a safe manner. It contains
details of the craft, the equipment supplied or tted, its systems, and information on its
safe operation and maintenance. Please read this manual carefully and be sure that you
understand its contents before using your RS Venture Connect.
Your safety is our concern but your responsibility. This manual will not instruct you in
boating safety or seamanship. If this is your rst boat, or if you are changing to a type
of craft that you are not familiar with, for your own safety and comfort, please ensure
that you have adequate experience before assuming command of the craft. If you are
unsure, RS, your RS Dealer, or your national sailing federation – for example, the Royal
Yachting Association – will be able to advise you of a local sailing school, or a competent
instructor.
This Rigging Guide covers all variations of the RS Venture Connect, SCS and Power
Assist models and exceeds 150 pages in length. Where possible we try to instruct you to
jump sections if they are not applicable to you. If you are printing a hard copy please be
responsible and note the sections that are relevent and print only those.
The online (www.rssailing.com) location of the Rigging Guide is the most up todate copy.
Due to the nature of the SCS and Power Assist boats regular changes and delelopments
will occour. As required the online copy will be revised to reect these changes.
For further information, spares, and accessories, please contact:
RS Sailing
Premier Way
Abbey Park
Romsey
Hampshire SO51 9DQ
Tel: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
For details of your local RS Dealer, please visit www.RSsailing.com
1 - Introduction

Rigging Guide
PLEASE FOLLOW RIGGING GUIDE IN CORRECT ORDER

COMPONENTS LIST
ROPE PACK
Mainsheet
Jib Sheet
HARDWARE
Owner’s manual
Rudder
Tiller extension
Boom
Mainsail
Jib
Keel Hoist
Mast and rigging
SPINNAKER KIT
Spinnaker sheets
Ratchet blocks
Spinnaker
QUANTITY
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
Com bar
11
9
11
9
RS Connect 1.1

2. Preparation
Your RS Venture Connect comes complete with all the components necessary to take
the boat sailing. In order to commission it, you will need the following tools:
• Pliers or a shackle key
• Small, at-bladed screw driver
• PVC electrician’s tape
Whilst your RS Venture has been carefully prepared, it is important that new
owners should check that shackles and knots are tight. This is especially
important when the boat is new, as travelling can loosen seemingly tight ttings
and knots. It is also important to check such items prior to sailing regularly.
2.0 - Preparation

a)
b)
c)
d)
Take the middle of the mainsheet
bridle and form a loop. Pass this
loop through the 40mm block and
pass the tails back through the loop
to form knot #6.
Pass the end of the bridle through the forward hole in
the gunwhale and tie knot #3 underneath.
Repeat on the other side of the boat.
Locate the 40mm single block, mainsheet bridle and 2 x mainsheet bridle elastics.
Tie each elastic to the 40mm block with knot #1 as shown.
Pass the elastic through the rearmost hole in the
gunwhale and tie knot #3 underneath.
Repeat on the other side of the boat.
2.1 - Adding the Mainsheet Bridle

Rigging Guide
3. Rigging the Mast
PLEASE FOLLOW RIGGING GUIDE IN CORRECT ORDER
To complete this section you will need:
• The mast
• A at-bladed screw driver

The Primary pin ts through the bracket’s PRIMARY HOLE and through the
FORWARD HOLE in the spreader.
3.1 - Fitting The Spreaders To The mast
It is worth taking time to ensure that this section is completed correctly. Improperly tted
spreaders will result in undesirable sailing characteristics, and may even result in failure
of the mast.
a) Carefully unpack the spreaders from the top of the mast, being sure not to damage
any of the securing split rings.
b) Unwind the shrouds and forestay from around the mast, and unwrap from the
packaging.
1
A
Fwd
Primary hole
Aft
B
C
D
E
2
3
45
6
7
The Adjuster pin ts down through HOLE 6 in the bracket and HOLE D in the spreader.

3.2 - Spreader Ends
Spreader end caps:
The spreader end cap incorporates two shroud wire slots to give a tight grip on either 2.5
or 3mm wire. The sizes are identied on the front face of the end cap.The RS Venture
Connect uses 3mm shroud wire so the 3mm slot should be used.
The end cap can also be rotated so that the shroud can be positioned at either the
forward or aft position of the spreader end (see diagram above). For the RS Venture
Connect the end cap should hold the shroud in the forward position.
To attach the shroud, slacken the end screw, rotate the end clamp if necessary, then
insert the shroud. Ensure that the shroud is tensioned between T-Terminal and spreader
tip, then tighten the screw rmly. This method “locks in” the dihedral angle.
Length Adjustment:
The position is described by the number of adjustment holes visible. For the RS Venture
Connect there should be 1 hole visible as shown in the diagram below.
2.5 3.0
Rotate as
necessary
3mm hole fwd
Aft
Forward
shroud wire goes through forward hole
All clevis pins must be tted with the at head on top, and locked with a split
ring.
Tape all split rings, pins and the outboard end of the spreader extrusion.
This will reduce chafe on the mainsail and prevent ailing sails/halyards becoming
damaged. Self-amalgamating tape is best, but pvc electrical tape is an adequate
alternative.
one hole visible

Now the mast is ready to be put up in the boat, or “stepped”.
REMEMBER
Check that both ends of the main halyard, jib halyard, and gennaker halyard are
tied o󰀨 at the bottom end of the mast so that they are within easy reach when the
mast is stepped.
Before stepping the mast, familiarise yourself with how the “foot” (bottom end) of the
mast will t into the “step” (tted to the boat).
The mast foot has two rectangular blocks on the bottom, separated by a groove. Both
of these blocks will t between the bolt at the front of the mast step, and the bolt at the
back.
Ensure that the shrouds and forestay are tted correctly and loose at the lower end.
Ensure all 3 halliards are tied to the pole ring on the front of the mast.
BEFORE STEPPING THE MAST, CHECK THAT YOU ARE
NOT IN THE VICINITY OF OVERHEAD POWER CABLES
Note: It is recommended that the mast should always be stepped with 2 people.
If the wind is blowing, there will be a lot of pressure at the top of the mast making it
wave around. Consider nding a second helper if you feel you will struggle!
3.3 - Stepping the Mast

Raise the mast so that it is standing on the ground next to the boat, adjacent to the mast
gate. This is most easily done if your helper places a foot against and over the base of the
mast, whilst you lift the mast from about mid section until it is upright. Your helper can now
easily support the mast so long as it is kept upright.
a)
b)
c)
d)
You now climb into the boat and stand squarely either side of the middle of the boat, close
to the mast gate. The mast should be lifted, keeping bolt upright of course, so it is close to
the gunwhale for you to lift in.
You can now lift the mast up over the gunwhale
of the Venture, keeping it upright of course, and
rest it down in the bottom of the boat, just aft of
the mast step.
Now lift the mast gently forward to securely locate into the mast step, easing it into the
mast gate as it goes. Now you are able to close the mast gate and attach the forestay to
the foredeck u-bolt with the snap-shackle provided.
3.3 - Stepping the Mast

e)
Attach the shrouds to the middle of the shroud adjustor plate with the clevis pin and split
ring provided. Wrap PVC electrician’s tape around the split rings for security, and to avoid
snagging. The between hole 7 - 9 is a good place to start.
3.3 - Stepping the Mast

Rigging Guide
4. Boom
PLEASE FOLLOW RIGGING GUIDE IN CORRECT ORDER
To complete this section, you will need:
• The boom
• The gnav bar
• The Mainsheet

a)
b)
c)
Connect the gnav bar to the slider at the
front end of the boom. Sliders often di󰀨er in
appearance, but all work in the same way.
Connect the front of the boom to the gooseneck on the mast.
Connect the upper end of the gnav bar to the bracket on the mast above
the gooseneck.
It is vital that the gnav toggle is inserted as shown above. Failure to do so will
result in damage to the strut assembly.
4.1 - Rigging the Gnav

d)
e)
Feed the gnav control line down through
the gooseneck block.
Feed the gnav control line through the cleat below the boom. Tie a knot #3
in the end of the rope.
TOP TIP
You can keep the boom up by
hoisting with the mainsheet at
the rear of the boom.
4.1 - Rigging the Gnav
Make sure purchase is extended fully when sail is up.
4.2 - Rigging the Mainsheet
a)
Take one end of the mainsheet and tie knot #3 in the end.
Pass the other end through the centre hole of the block at the
end of the boom.
b)
Pass the end of the mainsheet down and through the block
on the mainsheet bridle.