The Peconic Puffin

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Downhaul Knot Trick

This is so cool.  As discussed in a forum thread on iWindsurf, this easy to tie windsurfing downhaul knot allows you to use your mast foot (or whatever else is handy) as a downhaul handle, and when you are done, the knot just disappears…no untieing necessary.   Here are two videos showing different ways to tie it.  I prefer the Ezzy version.  Took me 30 seconds to figure out.  

I like using a cleat (which I have in the van) and even a crank if I’m fine tuning a big sail, but once I’m on the beach at The Bowl I don’t want to be walking back to the cars to get the cleat (nor do I want to carry it on the water, or leave it on the beach.)   Check these out (and thanks to noshuzbluz and philodog for posting them in iWindsurf):

 


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6 responses to “Downhaul Knot Trick”

  1. Bunty Cachia Avatar
    Bunty Cachia

    I love these small tips you post every now and then. Personally I use my harness hook.

    Reply
  2. Barneybudd Avatar
    Barneybudd

    I use a bowline, so that I can grab it w my harness, which is still ON my body. works fine. often make adjustments on the water…..

    Reply
  3. Frank Srobel Avatar
    Frank Srobel

    not so good with a euro pin base…..especially the two bolt base. (i tried)

    Reply
  4. Michael Avatar
    Michael

    Frank: what trouble are you having with the euro base? The two bolter (which I use) makes pulling the foot off to use even more convenient.
    Barneybudd (K-Dog)…I used to use a bowline in cleatless situations, but this is definitely faster (nothing to untie!) Rigged two sails yesterday with it even though I had the cleat, just for practice. It’s fast.

    Reply
  5. Frank Srobel Avatar
    Frank Srobel

    i find with the eurio pin (quick release 2 bolt)…not much to wrap the line around…. it is too narrow. When i wrapped the line it would end up on the tendon. I don’t like the line around the tendon. Don’t think the tendon is designed to take that kind of load laterally. The cup in the photo is much larger easier to grip. Maybe I am missing something. Most of my sails i can do by hand…it is just my larger 6.4 sail that i need something.

    Reply
  6. Dima Avatar
    Dima

    Tried to tie the node on the harness spread bar and it seem to be better than any other node I used (the spread bar is so polished and slick that other nodes usually just slip). Though, I have not tried it really down-hauling sail but looks like it may work.
    Thank you for the hint!

    Reply

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