- Ensure the crew is not sheeting the genoa
before the sail is fully hoisted and proper
luff tension is applied. Sheeting the genoa
too soon will result in pulling the boltrope
out of the feeder and prefeeder, and can damage
the Tuff Luff just above the feeder.
- The luff tape should be the correct length.
Please ensure the luff tape extends 6" below
the feeder. A short luff tape can pull out of
the Tuff Luff and crack the foil. The feeder
supports the foil and the luff tape.
- Careful attention to proper halyard lead
at the masthead is very important. Ensure that
the halyard is parallel to the Tuff Luff. An
improper lead aloft can pull the sail out of
the top of the foil.
- Ensure the luff tape is clean and the Tuff
Luff is clean. If necessary, have your sailmaker
make a cleaner tape in order to clean your Tuff
Luff. Use a dry lubricant, such as McLube on
the boltrope.
- When not sailing, it is important to tension
the Tuff Luff to prevent the foil from resonating
(vibrating) at the dock or during winter storage.
The foil is an advanced virgin PVC formulation
of very high quality Geon, but special care
should be given to the system. A 2-foot length
of luff tape with grommets can be manufactured
by your sailmaker to allow the Tuff Luff to
be tensioned.
- If stored on the headstay during the winter,
ensure the Tuff Luff is straight and protected
properly, as improper care is not covered under
warranty. Do not remove the Tuff Luff once installed.
Re-installing the Tuff Luff can lead to breakage.
- Not all luff tape is the same both in quality
and sizing. This can cause problems with the
operation and friction within the system. Some
No. 5 & No. 6 luff tape is fractionally
different in size and construction. Ensure that
your sailmaker is aware of variance in luff
tapes, as this can affect the hoisting and dousing
of the sail.
- Check the luff tape for tears & damage,
as a poor luff tape can damage the Tuff Luff
foil.
| |
