I'm posting this as someone asked me about how I found the easy uphaul but I can't find the post to reply to them..So..
I haven't really mastered it yet.I do ok in flat water but yesterday I was out in choppy gusty 8 -18kts ( the chop felt bit for my 125) and I found it hard to balance to uphaul. I think I used to rely on my old uphaul for a bit of stability as I stood up and the new one isn't as good for that.
I still haven't got the length sorted ( I think I'll have worn out the velcro by the time I have..[}:)]).I think it may have been a little long but any shorter and I think I would have overbalanced into the sail as the board bucked around under me.
I was using it in conditions where it would have been easier to waterstart ( except the rotten sail always falls so the cams aren't popped the right way and I don't have the strength to pop them. or if I did I'd be buggered after). That's why I prefer to uphaul it.
I suppose I'll get used to it but I must admit I expected it to be easier to get used to..It was less effort to rise the sail out of the water when I got it right.
Any tips?

Forget the uphaul.......... Waterstart.

Go out in 10 - 15 kts, loads easier to windsurf when you have wind more than 5 kts almost calm conditions.

jirvin4505 said...
No tips but a user report...

Started using one yesterday
I'm having a little difficulty getting the length correct. If I have it short enough to lift the sail I then have difficulty getting low enough to engage the loop on my seat harness hook

I think this problem is a combination of not being flexible enough to crouch low enough and the seat harness crunching up and blocking the hook. Orrrrr it could be my bear gut bulging over the hook when I crouch down to engage

Plus I fall off the board if I'm engaged but not lifted and the sail is swung by the wind across the nose or tail.

Once engaged and I'm using the up-haul as designed I wish it was shorter so I could lift the sail a little higher.

However I want to keep at solving these problems as it does certainly take the back aching grunt out of getting the sail underway - a big positive

It also takes out the back strain when swinging the sail around the board to get it downwind.

Early days yet

Cheers Jeff

Sounds like my problems..
I suppose like any technique it requires practise..

I have had one for about a 18 months I only use it on larger race sails either formula or raceboard as I find it easier to uphaul them then try to water start. I only really use it to drain the water off the sail which in my opinion is the hardest part of uphauling. So for me its better to have the length longer rather than shorter, if its to short it tends to make me feel like I am getting pulled off balance towards the sail. Its also good for a rest I can stand on the board leaning back against the easy uphaul and it doesnt matter how choppy it is.
The system works great however both mine and my sons easy uphaul have broken the elastic that goes over the mast base, not a big problem as I just tied it back on but has made me question the quality also the velcro on mine slips sometimes right when I have the most weight on it and I end up going in backwards. I will have to find a way to set the length right then secure it permanently.

cammd said...
I have had one for about a 18 months I only use it on larger race sails either formula or raceboard as I find it easier to uphaul them then try to water start. I only really use it to drain the water off the sail which in my opinion is the hardest part of uphauling. So for me its better to have the length longer rather than shorter, if its to short it tends to make me feel like I am getting pulled off balance towards the sail. Its also good for a rest I can stand on the board leaning back against the easy uphaul and it doesnt matter how choppy it is.
The system works great however both mine and my sons easy uphaul have broken the elastic that goes over the mast base, not a big problem as I just tied it back on but has made me question the quality also the velcro on mine slips sometimes right when I have the most weight on it and I end up going in backwards. I will have to find a way to set the length right then secure it permanently.

Edit - make that 3.

I have one that was used a lot before I finally learned waterstarting. It worked great at first once properly adjusted but then the velcro began slipping so I tied it in a knot but then it was adjusted wrong and I had to bend over too far, now I have noticed the bottom elastic bit that slips over the base has stretched thin to the point of imminent breaking.
So I would say excellent design but poor quality.
Perhaps I can remove the bit that goes over the hook and add it to a regular uphaul?

I think they are probably good for flat water learning or uphauling from a big stable platform but not so good uphauling from shortboards in chop.
I just taught myself to uphaul the 95ltre with my usual uphaul rope and I think one of my problems is I use the base of the sail and uphaul rope to help me get upright on the board and stabilise myself. With the easy uphaul its thinner and a bit shorter so I can't use it that way so it may just be my technique.

gavnwend said...
Nail your jibes or learn to waterstart no excuses

I can waterstart but the big cammed sails are always popped the wrong way and I don't have the strength to push the sail up and pop them the right way.If I'm desparate I probably could but too tiring.
If someone could come along and pop them so the sail was the correct shape to catch the wind no worries
SHEETIN said -

Forget the uphaul.......... Waterstart.

Go out in 10 - 15 kts, loads easier to windsurf when you have wind more than 5 kts almost calm conditions.

I had a lot of wind + chop (18kts top end for the sail for me in the gusts but it was gusty).. uphauling for reasons above. If the sail falls in in the correct position I will waterstart. ( I was also persevering to learn to use the easy uphaul).