RS:X User Guide

TAKING CARE OF RS:X

The RS:X is high-performance windsurfing equipment. To get the most out of your RS:X rig you must take care of it and follow the maintenance tips below.

Read or Download RS:X Rigging & Tuning Guide for information on how to set your RS:X up properly and follow the guidelines to ensure its longevity. You can download further information here.

BOARD

To give your board a long life:

1. Always protect your board from the sun when not in use. The harmful effects of the sun's rays cause all colours to fade.

2. Make sure that the valve is always closed before going into the water.

3. Use NeilPryde RS:X fins and foot straps.

4. Tighten the foot strap screws firmlybut don't over tighten them.

5. The foot strap screws are subject to extreme loads & forces and should be checked regularly if still tight.

6. Make sure you have no sand in your Deep Tuttle fin box before you attach the fin.

7. Tighten the Deep Tuttle fin box screws tightly until the fin base is flush with the bottom.

8. Regularly check your board for holes, coming from any damage.

9. In case you find any damage make sure these are sealed and fixed properly before further use.

10. Regularly check the footstraps, dagger-board and mast track mechanism for any sand or other obstacles that could cause failure.

11. Store your NeilPryde RS:X board in a board bag to prevent unnecessary sun exposure, scratches, and other wear and tear while the board is not in use.

12. DO NOT store your board wet.
Depending on the water you are sailing in, some times the rails and the bottom of the board may turn yellow. This does not mean that the white is fading because of the sun but it comes from the pollution in the water. It can easily be removed with car polishing cream.

FIN

Windsurfing fins are subject to extreme loads and forces and should be regularly checked for any signs of wear and tear.

The fin used in your board can be seriously damaged by hitting a solid object or the ground. This damage may not always be visible to the naked eye. Never place yourself in a position where the breakage of your fin would make it impossible to return to shore unaided and without assistance.

The tip, trailing edge and leading edge of these fins are sharp and can cause cuts. Take care to avoid these sharp edges with your hands, legs or feet especially during water starting.

SAIL CARE

The following areas should be checked regularly for any signs of wear and tear on your sail:

- Any dents, wrinkles, imperfections or heavy scratches on the monofilm or Dyneema material, particularly around the boom, foot, clew, head and leech of the sail.

- The downhaul pulley attachment point, the clew eyelets, the mast plug attachment point.

To give your sail a long life:

1. Always rig your sail on grass if possible. For rigging instructions, please read the "Rigging and Tuning Guides" that are supplied with every NeilPryde sail. These manuals can also be downloaded here.

2. Sails are damaged easily when left to flap in the wind, so take care when the sail is not rigged & under tension (ie. during rigging or de-rigging).

3. Always protect your sail from the sun when not in use. The harmful effects of the sun's rays cause the monofilm material of any sail to breakdown over time. After windsurfing, always de-rig shortly after sailing or protect with a beach cover.

4. Always de-rig your sail after use.For storage, roll the sail tightly from the head, and use the sail bag provided - this helps to prevent premature wear of the monofilm.

5. If possible, store your sail lying flat on the ground & horizontal. Do not place heavy objects on top of the sail whilst in storage. If it must be stored in a vertical position, ensure that the luff pocket rests on the ground.

6. Always rinse the sail in fresh waterif storing your sail away for the winter or for an extended period of time.

7. Use warm water and mild detergent to remove persistent dirt.

MASTS

The carbon material used in your mast can be seriously damaged by impact with a solid object, point loading or extended exposure to sunlight. This damage may not always be visible to the naked eye. Never place yourself in a situation where the breakage of your mast would make it impossible to return to the shore unaided & without assistance.

For more information on the care & maintenance of your NeilPryde mast, please read the manual provided with the product.

The following areas should be checked regularly for any signs of wear & tear on your mast:

- The boom attachment area
- The cam contact points
- The ferrule joint

To give your mast a long life:

1. Always protect your mast from impact damage or point loading. Even if there is no visible damage, the mast may be seriously damaged if it is dropped or knocked.

2. Always de-rig your mast shortly after use. We recommend always using a padded mast bag for storage and transportation.

3. Carbon masts, like any masts, can be crushed or broken from over-tightening the boom. The best protection against this is to use only NeilPryde RS:X booms.

4. Use NeilPryde RS:X mast bases. The NeilPryde Extension is only recommended.

5. When rigging a two-piece mast, ensure that the sections are fully engaged after sliding into the luff sleeve. The easiest way to check this is by running your hand along the luff sleeve before applying final downhaul tension. Any separation could cause the upper section or the ferrule to fail under load.

6. Mast-bases, mast ferrules, luff sleeves, sail cams, and all other components must be free from sand and grit. Be sure that all your rig components are clean before you rig up. Warm water and mild detergent may be used to remove persistent dirt.

7. Remember that all masts can be broken by even small waves, surf or shorebreak. Mast breakage resulting from use in breaking waves cannot normally be attributed to defects in manufacturing or material, and is therefore not normally covered under warranty.

8. Although NeilPryde RS:X carbon masts are treated UV resistant finish, all masts & windsurfing equipment should be kept out of the sun when not in use.

BOOMS & EXTENSIONS

Your boom and/or extension can be seriously damaged by impact with a solid object, extended exposure to sunlight or corrosion (aluminium booms and/or extensions). This damage may not always be visible to the naked eye. Never place yourself in a situation where the breakage of your boom or extension would make it impossible to return to the shore unaided & without assistance. For more information on the care & maintenance of your NeilPryde RS:X boom and/or extension, please read the RS:X Rigging & Tuning Guide provided with this product.

The following areas of your boom should be checked regularly for any signs of wear & tear:

- Mechanical front end parts: front end lever, clamp & screws
- Inhaul adjustment rope
- Back end adjustment levers

To give your Booms & Extensions a long life:

1. Keep your booms & extensions out of the sun when not in use.

2. All sliding components must be free of sand & grit. Be sure to rinse out your boom in fresh water to prevent the build-up of dirt. This will also prolong the life of your aluminium booms which can be subject to corrosion over time.

3. Do not leave boom clips open The best protection against this is to use only when not in use.

4. Do not leave your extension inside your mast when not in use as it may corrode.

BASES

The Powerbase unit, including the universal tendon joint, is subject to extreme loads & forces and should be regularly checked and replaced if it shows any signs of wear and tear.

The universal tendon joint has a limited approximate "lifetime" of up to 120 hours. Furthermore, always check that the RS:X Powerbase is fully inserted into the mast trackof the board, and the locking mechanism is fully closed, before going out onto the water.and should be automatically replaced after this time. For more information on the use, care and maintenance of your Powerbase, please read the RS:X Rigging & Tuning Guide

The following components of the Powerbase should be checked regularly for any signs of wear & tear:

Tendon

The Tendon Joint on all Powerbase units should be free of any cracks or blemishes in the rubber material. The easiest way to confirm this, is to bend the joint 90° through 4 different axes while checking the mid-point of the joint. If any cracks appear, the joint should be replaced immediately.

Tendon Holder
The two upper & lower drift pins holding the tendon into the tendon holder should be tight. The tightness of these pins can be confirmed with an Allen key.

Bottom Pin
The bottom pin that inserts into the mast track should be flush with the bottom tendon holder and not have any play.

XT Powerbases & XT Pin
The U-Pin should be flush with the upper tendon holder and note have any play

UXT Powerbases - U-Pin
The U-Pin should be flush with the upper tendon holder and not have any play.