Abstract: A hooked spreader bar is held to a sailor's body by straps at each end. The straps are formed with serrations that are engaged by noses of pivotable locks. When the straps are tight, the locks prevent the straps loosening but provide a quick-release operation when pressed down. The spreader bar is more reliably held to a sailor's body, more simply fitted, and removed. Pivotable locking handles hold respective locks in the closed position.

Abstract: A windsurfer sailing rig includes a mast with a top mast extension. A swivel connection connects the extension to the top of the mast. In use, down haul tension for the mast is applied to hold the swivel connection downwards in position.

Abstract: A sail boom clamp has two opposing jaws (22) and (23) which fit around a mast (2) in use to hold a sail boom in position. The effective separation of the jaws (22) and (23) can be altered by cooperation between a foot 40 on an underside of the jaw (23) and steps in an arcuate wedge (41). The wedge is moved to present different of the steps to the press against the foot (40) in use to hold the jaw in different positions relative to a body (20). The jaws are closed and held closed by an over-center clamping arrangement consisting of a handle (26) and a wire loop (24).

Abstract: A sail tensioning device comprises a handle 70, an arm 73 and a tube 75 which fit together to form the device. The handle is fixed by a strip of webbing which fits in an opening 77 and is stitched to a sail to provide an anchor for the handle. The arm 73 fits in a cavity in the handle 70 to pivot about an intermediate point of the handle and urge the tube 76 against a batten (not shown), as the handle swivels about the anchor. Urging the batten in this way forces the batten against a remote end of a batten pocket to tension the sail.

Abstract: A fluid pressure member (26 or 26' or 100) is connected between foot portion (3) and upper portion (4) of the mast (3, 20, 4) of a sailboard (1) which, in turn, are connected to the head (6) and tack (10) of the sailboard sail (7). Controls for a source of fluid under pressure (32 or 50) for the pressure member (26 or 26' or 100) are mounted on the boom (5) for convenient access by the user. While under sail, the user can cause a portion (29 or 101) of the fluid pressure member to extend and retract to adjust the overall effective height of the mast (3, 20, 4) and, consequently, the tension of the downhaul (11), i.e., the vertical tension applied to the leading upright edge of the sail (7). A similar fluid pressure member (76) can be carried in the boom (5) to adjust the tension of the outhaul (9).

Abstract: A harness for boardsailing has straps 42, 48 which are swivably mounted on substantially rigid panels 36, 38 by couplings 39, 47, 50. The couplings 39, 47, 50 each comprise two parts which snap fit together through an aperture in the panels 36, 38 and swivel in the apertures.

Abstract: A sailing apparatus includes a sail having a batten which is positioned relative to the mast by a coupling member which serves to induce a camber in the batten and enhance and stabilize the draft or curvature of the sail. The coupling member can be installed and removed while the sailing apparatus is fully rigged.

Abstract: A sail for a sailboard is tensioned by use of a batten inserted in a pocket having closed ends. The batten has end cap having a tip on a screw for adjusting the overall length of the batten.