Sailworks RETRO User manual

SAIL MAINTENANCE
• Let your sail dry before de-rigging.
• Shake the sand off before rolling
up your sail at the beach, as this
will help keep the monofilm clear.
Most scratches to the monofilm
are caused by sand and grit
abrading the sail while it’s rolled
up.
• Rinse the sail with fresh water
occasionally, including inside the
mast slee e, to a oid salt and
sand buildup.
• A oid rigging on hard or abrasi e
surfaces.
• If left rigged for extended periods,
release the outhaul and
downhaul.
• Store your rigged sail out of direct
sunlight. UV degrades monofilm.
• To pre ent creases in the monofilm, roll
your sail tightly, use a sail tie to keep it rolled
tightly and store the sail where it won’t get flattened.
• Repair tears promptly through a qualified sail repairperson. Make temporary repairs to
the monofilm with Mylar packing tape or a sticker on both sides.
• Do not use sol ents for cleaning near seams, as this will dissol e the seam tape
adhesi es. Use water and mild soap. To remo e tar spots or sticker adhesi e residue use
a citrus based cleaner
• When on the beach, secure your sail from blowing away.
• A oid getting sand or dirt inside the mast slee e and batten pockets. This reduces sail
performance by increasing friction and wear on the mast and battens.
• Loosen the batten tension if you are not going to use the sail for an
extended period.
www.sailworks.com
Rigging +Tuning Guide 2002
Specifications
First Time Rigging
Rig Assembly
Tuning Tips
Settings Chart
Trouble Shooting
Sail Maintenance
© Sailworks Inc. 2002 yDesign: Bridgeworks ®Photography: Laura Graetzel Derwin • Bruce Peterson • Greg Griffith
ÚPrinted in Canada

Note that the luff and boom lengths listed are intended only as a guide to rig assembly and sail trim. Depending on the rig components you choose
and your boom height, these dimensions may not always correspond exactly to the settings that are best for you. We measure boom length from
the front of the mast to the back of the clew. Maximum boom length is achieved at a very flat outhaul setting with the boom at the top of the boom
opening. We measure luff length from the top of the headcap, around the front of the mast curve to a point perpendicular to the mast opposite the
underside of the triple pulley or grommet. Refer to the rigging guides for instruction upon interpreting visual references to proper sail tuning.
RETRO DIMENSIONS REQUIRED MAST SAILWORKS MAST
SIZE LUFF MED. BOOM MED. BOOM MAX. WEIGHT # MAST IDEAL MCS IMCS LIPSTICK JOYSTICK SPEEDSTICK
m2(cm/ft) (cm/ft) (cm/ft) (kg/lbs) BTNS SLEEVE MAST CURVE % STIFFNESS 370 400 430 460 430 460 490 520 430 460 490 520
4.5 410/13'5" 158/5'2" 163/5'4" 3.10/6.8 6 OPEN 400 12 17 - 22
5.0 424/13'11" 167/5'6" 172/5'8" 3.25/7.2 6 OPEN 430 12 17 - 22
5.5 442/14'6" 176/5'9" 181/5'11" 3.45/7.6 6 OPEN 430 12 21 - 25
6.0 456/15'0" 184/6'0" 189/6'2" 3.80/8.4 7 OPEN 430 12 21 - 25
6.5 469/15'5" 193/6'4" 198/6'6" 4.00/8.8 7 OPEN 460 12 21 - 25
7.0 481/15'9" 202/6'7" 207/6'9" 4.20/9.2 7 OPEN 460 12 25 - 30
7.5 490/16'1" 212/7'0" 217/7'2" 4.45/9.8 7 OPEN 460 12 25 - 30
8.0 499/16'5" 221/7'3" 226/7'5" 4.65/10.2 7 FIXED 490 12 28 - 30
8.5 508/16'8" 230/7'7" 235/7'9" 4.90/10.8 7 FIXED 490 12 28 - 30
9.0 513/16'10"239/7'10" 244/8'0" 5.15/11.3 7 FIXED 490 12 28 - 30
9.5 523/17'2" 249/8'2" 254/8'4" 5.40/11.9 7 FIXED 490 12 29 - 35
10.5 542/17'9" 265/8'8" 270/8'10" 5.70/12.5 7 FIXED 520 12 29 - 35
Ideal Mast
Alternate Mast
Rigging
& Tuning
Guide
The 2002 Retro is the
defining sail for camless
simplicity with stunning
ersatility, power and
handling. To experience
the full potential of your
new Retro sail, please
take a few minutes to
read this rigging guide.
FIRST TIME RIGGING
USE THE RIGHT MAST
One of the most important parts of your rig is the mast, specifically its cur e and
stiffness and how closely these parameters match the sail. The mast acts quite
literally as the backbone of the rig and it go erns the sail’s performance.
The mast requirements for the RETRO are printed on the sailbag and at the tack
of your sail. Listed in the chart to the left is a broader range of mast specifications
(length and IMCS stiffness) necessary for compatibility with the shaping and
tension profile of your sail. Your mast should be within this required range,
regardless of the brand or model to achie e optimum performance. Note that
NOT all sail sizes will work on the same mast. As a rule, larger sails need longer
and stiffer masts while smaller sails require shorter and softer masts. Two
common mast compatibility problems are:
i) Using too long, or too stiff a mast. This restricts wind range by
o er-tensioning the sail.
ii) Using too short or too soft a mast. This also restricts wind range
by insufficiently stabilizing the sail.
NOTE: Each Retro size is designed and balanced on a specific Sailworks mast to
suit conditions typical for the “a erage” size sailor (140 - 190 lb./ 63 - 86 kg). If you
are lighter than this a erage, or prefer a softer handling feel, consider using the next
mast softer or shorter listed in the table. Hea ier sailors can use a slightly stiffer
mast to increase rig tension and stability. In particular, sailors o er 90 kg. (200 lbs)
should consider using a stiffer mast than what is recommended on these Retro
sizes: 4.0 m2, 6.0 m2, 7.5 m2and 9.5 m2.
SET THE HEADCAP LENGTH
Sizes 8.0 and larger ha e closed heads, so no adjustment is necessary. Sizes 7.5 and
smaller ha e an adjustable headcap system. This allows for masts longer that the
sail’s luff length. Check the luff length of your sail (printed at the tack and on the
sailbag), and compare it to your mast length. If your mast is shorter than the luff
length, adjust the headcap extension strap so the headcap is as close to the top of
the mast slee e as you can set it. If your mast is longer than the luff length, estimate
the amount of mast that will extend out the top of the slee e (mast length minus
luff length). Adjust the strap so that the top of the headcap is 1-2 cm shorter than
this distance away from the top of the mast slee e to allow for the headcap strap to
cinch tight.

RIG ASSEMBLY
1. INSERT T E MAST
Pull the sail down the mast in sections using the tack
handle and working the mast tip to the top of the slee e before pulling the tack all the way down to the
base of the mast. Try to keep the battens all rotated to the under-side of the mast. Check that the headcap
is seated completely onto or into the mast and that the two-piece coupling of the mast is joined completely
before applying downhaul tension.
2. INSERT T E MAST BASE
If your mast is shorter than the sail’s luff length, estimate the amount of mast base extension needed by
subtracting the mast length from the luff length. Your downhaul pulley system should ha e 6:1 purchase
and enough line to make lacing easy. The Power Block works best with 4 or 5 mm line. Lace the downhaul
line through the Power Block tack pulley. Keep the path of line looping in the same direction each time
you feed it through the Power Block and through your base pulley (we recommend a counter-clockwise
direction working from the underside upwards). Try not to cross the lines, as this increases friction and
makes the downhaul line harder to pull. Do not fully downhaul the sail yet – lea e the downhaul just
“hand-tight.”
3. ATTAC T E BOOM
If you plan to use the on-the-fly adjustable outhaul system enclosed, set that up now. Follow the
instructions enclosed with the adjustable outhaul for setup and use. Adjust your boom to the length
specified for the sail. Attach the boom to the mast at the middle of the boom opening and re-adjust it
after the sail is fully rigged. Be careful not to attach it too high in the boom opening - you must account
for the sail to be downhauled further. Also be careful not to pinch the mast slee e under the boom
clamp. Lace the outhaul through the clew grommet, and pull the outhaul completely so the sail is flat,
using the recommended boom length.
4. TUNE T E DOWN AUL
The downhaul controls the sail’s shape and performance. Disco er its effect by pulling and slowly
releasing the line. Use an easy-rig or downhauling tool so the line is easier to pull hard. Watch the
change in depth and tension of the leading edge (front 1/3 of the sail), and the flattening and loosening
of the head area (upper leech) as more
downhaul is pulled. Specifically notice the
change in the angles, or twist, of the battens; the
top batten should open to leeward the furthest -
called “progressi e twist”. Twist is cut into the
sail, but is ultimately controlled by the downhaul
tension. More downhaul induces more twist;
less downhaul allows less twist. Twist impro es
sail efficiency by lowering the center of effort and
making the sail easier to control.
The optimum downhaul setting gi es a tight luff
and a lean (not full) entry, and the leech area
between the top two battens should become
loose. (see RETRO Settings chart on the
following pages)
Once you’re familiar with the correct downhaul
setting, re-check the headcap length s. mast
base height. If necessary, re-adjust these so that
the tack pulley sits ery close to the mast base
cleat, and the amount of mast extending out the
top of the mast slee e is minimized by lowering
the mast base.
5. TENSION T E SBT’S
(Streamlined Batten Tensioners)
The battens are tensioned using the hex-key tool found under the
strap abo e the tack handle. Insert the hex-key into the cap screw
inside the SBT at the leech end of each batten. Turn the hex-key
to the right (clockwise) to tighten. Tension the battens JUST until
the wrinkles across the batten pockets disappear. Look for
continuous smooth shape to the sailcloth next to the batten
pocket (see photos). You should see a smooth reflection, with no
wrinkles alongside the battens.
CAUTION: DO NOT OVER-TENSION THE BATTENS - POOR
ROTATION, EXCESSIVE FOIL DEPTH AND DAMAGE TO THE
SAIL CAN RESULT.
Replace the hex-key tool back in its pocket abo e the tack handle.
The batten tension will need to be re-tightened after one or two
uses as the sail sets into its final shape, but once the batten
tension is set, it’s not necessary to release batten tension after
each session.
6. BALANCE T E OUT AUL SETTING
Release any outhaul tension and allow the sail to relax naturally.
Now pull the outhaul a minimum of 3.0 cm (1 1/4 inch) from this
neutral position. Cleat off the outhaul line. Check the foil depth
by pushing on the sail area under your harness lines or standing
it up in the wind. Under pressure, the sail will increase in depth as the battens pull back from the mast.
When luffing or without pressure, the sail will flatten. Less outhaul makes the sail fuller and more
powerful for reaching, but it will also be harder to control when o er-powered or sailing upwind. For
upwind sailing or o er-powered conditions, more outhaul tension will impro e performance by making
the sail flatter and tighter. Whene er you increase or release downhaul, realize that the outhaul tension
is also changed and may need to be adjusted too.
TUNING FOR WIND RANGE
Please refer to the RETRO Settings Chart on the next page.
Light wind (under-powered conditions)
• Less downhaul, to increase foil depth for more power; to tighten the leech for better
pumping; and to reduce twist and increase power in the upper part of the sail.
• Less outhaul, for more depth. A looser outhaul mo es the center of effort (power)
further back, which facilitates early planing.
igh wind (over-powering conditions)
• More downhaul, to tighten and flatten the leading edge of the sail. This lowers the
center of effort and gi es the sail more twist.
• More outhaul, to flatten the o erall foil depth and reduce power. This will tighten
the sail and impro e top end handling and control.
Needs more batten tension
Correct batten tension

TROUBLESHOOTING
Q: “Why do I keep getting pitched forward? The sail seems to pitch me to the front of my board.”
A: - Move the mast step forward to give more leverage over the rig.
- Pull the downhaul more, or pull a bit on the outhaul to stabilize the sail shape better.
- Check your harness line balance point When you are hooked in and planing, try lifting your hands off
the boom. If the sail moves to the front or the back of the board, move your lines the other direction.
Or try increasing your downhaul tension (moving the draft back) and do not touch the outhaul
(it automatically gets looser by pulling the downhaul. Increasing only the outhaul would move your
draft forward). Note that your harness lines will not balance in the same position on the boom for
every size sail – larger sails set up further back, smaller sails set up further forward.
Q: “Why can’t I pull the downhaul far enough?”
A: - Check the mast requirements printed on the sailbag; your mast may be too stiff or too long for the sail.
- Make sure the downhaul lines are not crossed through the pulley.
- Make sure your line diameter isn’t too thick or worn out.
- Try using a tool (easy-rig) to get a better hold on the line.
- Extend the mastbase further.
Q: “Why don’t my battens rotate very easily?”
A: - Check batten tension; excessive batten tension may restrict proper rotation.
- Check your downhaul; you may not have enough.
SETTINGS
Minimum Settings
• Light wind/underpowered
• Flat water • Downwind sailing
• More power, less control
Optimum Settings
• Steady/moderate wind
• Choppy water • All-round sailing
• Power and control
Maximum Settings
• High wind/o erpowered
• Upwind sailing
• More control, less power
LEEC TWIST PROFILE CROSS SECTION PROFILE OF BATTEN ABOVE BOOM
Lean Entry
Full Entry
Flat Entry
You can expand the RETRO’S wind range significantly by adjusting the downhaul and outhaul.
IMPORTANT: Downhaul and outhaul tension are closely interrelated. Whenever you pull or
ease the downhaul, you inversely affect the outhaul tension, so readjustment of the outhaul
may be required.
MINIMUM
OPTIMUM
MAXIMUM
GETTING THE MOST FROM YOUR GEAR
• If it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. A well-tuned rig should be effortless to sail. Don’t
be afraid to make changes and explore different settings.
• When you ha e found settings (boom length, mast base length, boom height, mast step
position, downhaul and outhaul position, harness line position) that feel balanced,
record the position of each adjustment so that they are easy to repeat next session. Mark
the settings with a waterproof marker right on your equipment.
Q: “Why can’t I get planing when I know I should be?”
A: - Ease the downhaul. Too much downhaul flattens the foil and excessively loosens the leech, which
gives you more control in heavy wind, but less power in light wind. Releasing some downhaul will
move the draft forward and up. This gives more depth and power in lighter wind.
- Ease the outhaul. Too much outhaul will flatten the sail and take power away, which is good for high
wind control but not for light wind power.
Q. “ ow does the downhaul affect the outhaul; why do I need to adjust both?”
A: When you downhaul a sail, you are essentially bending the mast into the curve of the sail’s mast
sleeve. As you pull more downhaul, the clew moves away from the mast, increasing the boom length.
As you ease off the downhaul, the clew moves toward the mast, decreasing boom length.
Q. “Why does my back arm get tired? I’m having a hard time sheeting in.”
A: - You may need to move your harness lines back.
- Pull some more outhaul to move the draft forward.
- Check your settings. An extreme downhaul setting and very little outhaul moves the draft back
causing you to use your back arm more to compensate.
- You’re over powered. Try a smaller sail.
CHART 2002
Minimum Downhaul
• Full entry - batten tip abo e boom sits beside mast,
but doesn’t extend past it
• Leech shows looseness only along the edge between
battens 1-2 and 2-3
• Deeper foil
• Less twist
Minimum Outhaul
• Pull the outhaul about 1.5 cm from neutral
• Boom length becomes shorter
• Deeper foil
Optimum Outhaul
• Pull the outhaul about 3 cm from neutral
• Boom set at medium specified length
• Lean foil
Optimum Downhaul
• Lean entry - batten tip abo e boom sits at center of mast
• Leech shows looseness down to 3rd batten. Looseness
extends in from the leech completely around the flutter
battens
• Lean foil
• Moderate twist
Maximum Outhaul
• Pull the outhaul about 5 cm from neutral
• Boom length becomes longer
• Flatter foil
Maximum Downhaul
• Flat entry - batten tip abo e boom sits behind mast
• Leech shows looseness down to 4th batten. Looseness
extends in from the leech past the flutter battens into
the ertical seam
• Flatter foil
• More twist
DOWN AUL SETTINGS OUT AUL SETTINGS