XCAT Sail User manual

Owner‘s manual
Assembly instructions and operating instructions
X
C
AT
S
AIL

Table of contents
Manual XCAT Sail Page 3 Edition: 0 /2023
Table of contents
1 Introduction and important notes .............................................. 4
1.1 Safety instructions (for all XCAT models) ............................... 4
1.2 Important notes on transport and storage .............................. 6
1.3 Environmental protection ................................................. 8
1.4 Instruction style guide ..................................................... 9
1. Further information ........................................................ 9
2 XCAT Sail .......................................................................... 10
2.1 Parts of sailing option ..................................................... 11
2.2 Setup sailing option ....................................................... 13
2.3 Setting and take in the sail ............................................... 30
2.4 Seat positions and weight trim .......................................... 32
2. Operation of genoa and mainsail ........................................ 32
2.6 Handling the rudder ....................................................... 3
2.7 Casting off and landing ................................................... 37
2.8 Tacking and jibing ......................................................... 39
2.9 Bring about and lying to .................................................. 42
2.10 Capsizing and righting ..................................................... 42
2.11 Dismantling the sailing option ........................................... 4
3 Accessories ....................................................................... 52
3.1 Fitting the hiking seats (option) ......................................... 2
3.2 Attach foot straps (option) ...............................................
3.3 Attach bow net (option) .................................................. 6
3.4 Tiller-fix (option) .......................................................... 8
3. Motor board (option) ...................................................... 8
4 Maintenance ...................................................................... 59
4.1 Tensioning the shrouds .................................................... 9
4.2 Tensioning the sail battens ............................................... 60
4.3 Luff tensioner .............................................................. 61
4.4 Overview of knots ......................................................... 62
4. Sailing basic terms ......................................................... 63

Introduction and important notes
Manual XCAT Sail Page 4 Edition: 0 /2023
1Introduction and important notes
This manual is intended to familiarize you with your XCAT Sail and to help
you operate your XCAT safely. In addition to a description of the XCAT Sail, it
also contains assembly and disassembly of the sail option and information on
safe handling/operation of the XCAT.
The description of the XCAT Basic and other accessories can be found in the
"XCAT Basic" manual.
Please keep this manual in a safe place and hand it over to the new owner
when you sell the XCAT.
1.1 Safety instructions (for all XCAT models)
Care ully read the ollowing sa ety instructions and all warnings and notes
in this manual be ore starting up your XCAT.
WARNING
Whether on land or water, STAY AWAY FROM POWER LINES! Contact
with power lines can result in serious injury or death.
Inform yourself about the legal regulations of the country or region in which
you are commissioning the XCAT.
Make sure that the expected wind and sea conditions correspond to design
category C (nearshore waters) and that you and, if applicable, your crew are
capable of handling the XCAT in these conditions. Any watercraft, no matter
how strongly built, can suffer serious damage from improper handling. This is
not compatible with safe boating. Therefore, always adjust the speed and
direction of travel of your XCAT to the sea conditions. Take weather reports
seriously and be aware of wind conditions, local currents and tides. Be
responsible. Do not overestimate your abilities at sea and do not neglect
safety regulations. Never use the XCAT or your passengers while under the
influence of alcohol, drugs or medication. In hot weather, protect yourself
from the sun and take plenty of water to drink.

Introduction and important notes
Manual XCAT Sail Page Edition: 0 /2023
Before operating the XCAT, check all components for possible damage.
Always pull the forestay completely tight when sailing to prevent the
bowsprit from coming loose from its mount. Do not line or other objects
hang away from the boat while sailing - there is a risk of getting caught on
bushes or rocks. Avoid unnecessary grounding. Never drag the boat over
rocks.
Avoid the risk of injury by making sure that all passengers have legs and arms
on the boat before docking and casting off. Learn to handle the boat in a
variety of situations. Give your passengers an introduction to how to handle
the boat so they can leave control of the boat to another passenger in case
of an emergency. Inform a person on shore of destination and planned
return.
The maximum recommended payload of 240 kg and the recommended
number of maximum 3 persons must not be exceeded. Regardless of the
number of people on board, the total weight of people and equipment must
never exceed the recommended maximum payload. Loading must always be
done carefully, distributing the loads appropriately to maintain the design
trim.
Protect yourself and, if necessary, your crew by wearing appropriate life
jackets/ buoyancy aids and cold weather protective clothing. Take into
account that in some countries there are legal requirements to wear
buoyancy aids that comply with national rules at all times. If you are sailing
the XCAT alone and unattended in waters whose shore you cannot reach by
swimming, you should, if necessary, connect yourself to the XCAT with a
suitable rubber line (e.g. 6 m long and mm thick). Do not sail alone below
10° Celsius water temperature! Do not use a fixed line to attach yourself to
the XCAT. There is a DANGER OF LIFE if the boat capsizes!
Observe the traffic regulations: You always participate in water traffic with
your XCAT, even if you use it for your recreational pleasure. Water traffic is
regulated by ordinances, which differ according to the area of application.
Machine-driven vehicles (motorboats, personal watercraft) are required to
give way to sailing vessels. Muscle-powered vehicles without their own boat
drive (paddlers, pedal boats, rowing boats) are required to give way to
sailing vessels. So always check which XCAT model option you are currently
using and who you are obligated to yield to. But forcing right of way is
forbidden! Therefore, give way yourself in time with the " Last Minute
Maneuver". Commercial shipping always has the right of way! In the inland
and coastal area, it is generally valid that vehicles of the professional

Introduction and important notes
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navigation have the right of way. This includes in particular: Ferries, work
vehicles, police and rescue services, fishing vessels with deployed nets. So
keep your distance and avoid them!
When on the water with the XCAT, always carry an alternate emergency
propulsion system, such as a paddle, oar system, or outboard motor.
1.2 Important notes on transport and storage
Secure the XCAT during transport, e.g. on the roof of the car, using suitable
fastening material, e.g. the XCAT transport kit.
Check the tensioning straps regularly and retighten them if necessary.
Observe the instructions in the manuals for your vehicle and the roof rack
system, particularly with regard to maximum roof loads and maximum
speeds.
If you store the hulls on the car roof for a longer period of time, loosen the
tension straps so that the hulls do not warp permanently.
Also, when storing the hulls in other rooms such as garage, basement, etc.,
do not fix the hulls with tension belts.
Do not use tensioning straps with ratchet, as there is a risk that the hulls will
be damaged by excessive tensioning. Therefore, only use tensioning straps
with a simple clamping lock.
If the hulls are colder than the center and side beams after transport,
assembly may be difficult because the distances no longer match due to
different expansion coefficients. In this case, store all parts at the same
temperature for some time before assembly.
Clean the boat after each use. Free it from salt residues or stones to prevent
possible damage.
Always rinse all parts with fresh water after use in salt water.

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A plastic polishing compound can be used to polish the hulls for heavier dirt.
Always store the hulls with the keel upwards so that water does not
permanently run into the flanges.
Do not store the hulls permanently in the sun on one side, otherwise they
may warp.
Do not store the hulls in the sun under a cover. This can cause heat buildup
and warping of the hulls.
Do not store the outboard seats permanently in the blazing sun, as they are
not completely UV-resistant. Dismantle the outboard seats after sailing and
store them in the shade or cover them (also recommended against dirt and
especially bird droppings).
Always maintain your XCAT properly and take into account the wear and tear
that occurs over time due to frequent use or improper use.
Row&Sail GmbH cannot be held responsible for changes that it has not
agreed to.

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1.3 Environmental protection
As water sports enthusiasts, we feel the effects of environmental pollution
firsthand, so to speak. The feeling of being submerged in a chemically
contaminated filthy broth during take-off and landing or a capsize can
thoroughly spoil the fun of water sports. Just as we expect clean water and a
biologically intact environment for our recreational sports, we should strive
to keep the environmental impact of operating the XCAT as low as possible.
The hull skin of the XCAT is made of HD-PE. A weather-resistant, impact-
resistant and dirt-repellent plastic that is easy to clean. Even attached shells
are easy to remove. The hulls, filled with EPP particle foam, are extremely
impact resistant, unsinkable and almost indestructible. And yet, because of
the foam core, very light and stable. HD-PE and EPP are both very
environmentally friendly and easy to recycle.
With the XCAT model options, you are always environmentally friendly on the
road.

Introduction and important notes
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1.4 Instruction style guide
This manual uses different style elements to convey different types of
information.
Style
element
Meaning
Bold
Information that needs to stand out
1) …
2) …
Instructions that you need to follow
step by step in the given sequence.
Info: The keyword In o indicates
information that requires your
special attention.
Note: The keyword Note indicates
information on how to prevent
damage to property. information that
may result in property damage.
CAUTION
The CAUTION keyword identifies
dangerous situations that may result
in injury.
WARNING
The keyword WARNING generally
identifies dangerous situations that
can result in death or serious injury.
1. Further information
For more information on the XCAT model options, accessories and numerous
videos on setting up, dismantling and operating the XCAT, visit:
www.x-cat.com

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2XCAT Sail
Only a few parts together form the sail option. Many parts of the sail option
are made of super-light and at the same time high-strength carbon. At the
same time, the XCAT is extremely safe, as it is unsinkable and almost
indestructible. Even when the wind comes up fast, there is little danger as
the genoa can be quickly and completely furled.
A quick round of sailing in the afternoon? With a setup time of only 1
minutes, no problem. Rigging is also possible on the water. A must for touring
and trekking.
The wind increases and you feel the immediate acceleration of the XCAT. In
addition to its rudder, it can also be controlled excellently by means of
weight trim. You move forward, it luffs - you move backward, it drops. Just
like windsurfing, the XCAT has self-steering properties.
The XCAT does not need a centerboard. The lee hull sticks into the water and
blocks the lateral drift to a large extent. A big advantage: it is therefore less
vulnerable and landing on the shore is easily possible without having to pull
up a centerboard.
You do not need a sailing license for the XCAT (only a few lakes in the
Federal Republic of Germany are excluded), but basic knowledge through
self-study (books, Internet, videos) or sailing course is recommended so that
you can operate your XCAT optimally in all areas of use.

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2.1 Parts of sailing option
The sailing option consists of:
•Mainsail (1)
•Genoa (2) with forestay
•Mast (3) – consisting of under mast
and upper mast with shrouds and
main halyard
•Wind vane (4)
•Rudder ( )
•Bowsprit with mast base (6)
•Mainsheet (7)
•Genoa sheet with genoa trimmer,
shroud blocks (8) and cleat holder
(9)
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(6)
( )
(7)
(9)
(8)

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The sailing option consists of:
•Mainsail (1)
•Genoa (2) with forestay
•Mast (3) – consisting of under mast and upper mast with shrouds and
main halyard
•Wind vane (4)
•Rudder ( )
•Bowsprit with mast base (6)
•Mainsheet (7)
•Genoa sheet with genoa trimmer, shroud blocks (8) and cleat holder
(9)
•Capsize Righting Line (10)
(2)
(
8,9)
(1)
(3)
(
6
)
(4)
(
7
)
(1
0
)
( )

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2.2 Setup sailing option
Info: The setup of the sail option is also available as a video on our website:
https://www.x-cat.com/en/videos -> XCAT Sail | Setup
Info: First build up the basic version (see XCAT Basic manual). After that, the
sailing option can be set up.
Attach bowsprit and mast base
1) Open the snap hook.
2) Hook the bowsprit into the
groove at the front of the
center beam, …
3) … Pull the bowsprit forward
and tilt it down and …

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4) … Push the bolts completely
into the front crossbar.
) Place the mast base on the
center beam and …
6) … push forward as far as it
will go.

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Mounting shroud blocks, genoa sheet cleat holder and mainsheet
1) Unroll all lines and lay them
out on the XCAT.
- green shroud block to
green mark "S
- red shroud block to red
mark "S
2) Hook the red shroud block
on the side beam at the "S"
(red) mark and …
3) … fix by tightening the
turning handles.
Info: Note that the shroud
block must first be hooked
onto the inside of the side
beams so that it can be
fixed in place.
4) Hook the green shroud block
onto the side beam at the
"S" (green) mark and …

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) … fix by tightening the
turning handles.
Info: Note that the shroud
block must first be hooked
onto the inside of the side
beams so that it can be
fixed in place.
6) Place cleat holder on the
marking (GENOA) in the
front part of the center
beam …
7) … and clamp on.
8) Check that all the lines are
correctly positioned.

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9) Place the mainsheet on the
mark (MAIN) in the rear part
of the center beam …
10) … and clamp on.
Put up the mast
WARNING
Whether on land or water, STAY AWAY FROM POWER LINES! Contact
with power lines can result in serious injury or death.
Note: If there is a lot of wind, furl the genoa completely before
setting the mast and fix it with Velcro. The furled genoa offers no
attack surface to the wind and the mast can be set more easily.
1) Place the upper mast and
the under mast on the
trampoline and release the
red rope handle on the mast
and unwind the lines.

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2) Put the mast together.
Info: Upper mast top can be
fixed to the rear crossbar
with a Velcro strap to
prevent the mast from
rolling away.
3) Lay out the shrouds to the
shroud blocks (red to red;
green to green).
Note: Turn the mast
correctly, the shrouds go
away from the mast
sideways to the respective
shroud block.
4) Hook green shroud to green
shroud block (starboard
side) with two key shackles
and secure by turning the
keys.
Note: Rope guide from the
genoa sheet according to
the photo.

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) Hook red shroud to red
shroud block (port side)
with two key shackles and
secure by twisting the keys.
6) Tighten grey line with rope
handle on top and black line
with S-hook on bottom from
mast towards mast ball.
7) Secure the rope handle and
S hook from the main
halyard to the mast with
the rubber loop.

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8) Make sure the grey line is
on the port side (red) of the
top stainless steel eyelet.
9) Insert the wind vane at the
masttop.
10) Hook the genoa with the
lower chain link to the snap
shackle of the endless
furler.
11) Unroll genoa …