No Work Uphauling – Mac Barnes explains his concept…

Ever get tired while uphauling?  Ever notice that as the wind blows harder uphauling becomes more difficult?  As the wind blows stronger, there is more wind force, we can either use that force or oppose that force.  By thinking about this problem, we can get the wind to serve us.  And I call that no work uphauling.  If you are working hard, let go, give the matter some thought, and try again the easy way.

Problem number one is that an uphaul should be attempted with the sail downwind of the board.  But in a fresh breeze, it always seems that the sail is upwind of the board.  When you have finally gotten back on the board, rested your weary limbs, caught your breath, and are ready to uphaul, now the sail is upwind.  It is difficult to lift, and if it does come out of the water it will probably push you off the board.  Why is this?  Because the force of the wind blows the board downwind, but the sail has lots of drag, so the sail drags and comes to rest upwind of the board. 

Having realized the cause of the problem, we can fix the problem.  We need to create more drag than the sail.  We can do that by not getting out of the water right away.  Swim to the board and put your hands on the board, opposite the downed sail.  While you rest tranquilly in the water, catching your breath and thinking of how much fun you’re having, the force of the wind will blow on the board and sail.  With your body hanging down in the water, your body is the biggest drag and the wind will push the board and sail downwind of you.  When the sail is downwind, get up on the board and immediately uphaul.  The sail will be downwind, it will come up out of the water easier than at any other angle to the wind.  Now that was easy! 

In addition, I recommend using an Easy-Uphaul.  The Easy-Uphaul has a loop to put on your harness hook.  As you lean back on the Easy-Uphaul, your weight lifts the sail out of the water.  You can do it with no hands, and no effort is required.  When you grab the boom, the loop falls off your harness by itself.  Now that is really no work uphauling.  Watch the video at www.easy-uphaul.com .