Pre-Flight Checklist

Sailing the WASZP means learning new techniques, but also a new approach to maintenance.
The WASZP has many small components that need regular checking to ensure the boat operates as designed. Check all components in this document before sailing.

Tighten Gantry Bolts

  • Important: These must be very tight — bulging of the plastic insert indicates sufficient torque.
  • If the bolt is loose, it has been compromised and needs to be replaced.
  • Ensure a SS washer is fitted between the plastic insert and the bolt head.

Wing Frame

Check for corrosion or cracking around the wing pins - mainly on the front wing bars as they get loaded from excessive pumping or explosive body movements.

  • Replace if you spot excessive wear

Wing Hinge Bolts

  • Ensure both wing-bar bolts are tight

Bell Crank Axle

  • Ensure the bell crank axle is wound fully in

Pushrod Grub Screw

  • Ensure the grub screw is wound fully in
  • If not, remove, apply Loctite high strength (Red), and refit

Front Foil Horizontal

  • Confirm there is no movement in the horizontal. 
  • If movement is present, do not sail and properly re-glue the foil and replace your foil joiner bolt.
  • The glue fills the gaps between the tenon and the horizontal socket – removing play and eliminating wobble. The bolt is a safety mechanism only, to stop the foil from sliding off. If the foil becomes loose, do not tighten the bolt; this will fatigue it, risk bolt failure, and cause damage to the horizontal foil.

Rudder & Tiller

  • Ensure the rear horizontal foil bulb bolts are tight

Mast Connection Point

  • Ensure the mast base is free of sand and grit before joining the lower and upper sections

Mast Loop

  • Ensure the mast loop is secure and cannot slide

 

Blocks & Shackles

  • Ensure all blocks are secure
  • Ensure the bridle block shackle is tight
  • Ensure the sail clew shackle is tight

Control Systems

  • Work from bow to stern, following the pull and push rods and checking each connection.
    If a screw is loose, the Loctite bond is most likely broken and needs to be re-applied
  • Before applying Loctite, ensure about 3 threads are exposed. Loctite 263 (Red) is preferred; 243 (Blue) is acceptable

Gearing Screw

  • If loose, unscrew about 3 turns and re-apply Loctite 263 (Red) to the exposed thread (243 Blue is also acceptable)
  • If the screw was removed: when reinserting either:
    • Pull the wand control link assembly toward you with pliers
      or
    • Push the wand all the way forward as you screw it in
      • This prevents the threads from binding when the wand moves forward while sailing
    • Replace the screw annually

    Wand Limiter Elastic

    • Adjust the wand elastic to be tight in the position shown for medium conditions
    • Allow the wand to go further forward if sailing in rough waters

    Reversing Lever Screws (Expensive to miss this inspection!)

    • Ensure both screws are tight
    • If loose, re-apply Loctite 263 (Red)

    Reversing Lever Axle

    • A slight wobble is good and aids push rod alignment
    • Ensure the bolt is FIRMLY tightened to the deck using a 20 mm spanner
    • The 10 mm lock nut must allow a small amount of lever wobble

    Ride Height Adjuster Barrel Screw

    • Ensure the screw is tight
    • If loose, re-apply Loctite 263 (Red)

    Bolt Rope Track Cap Screws

    • Ensure both screws are tight; they retain the cap that guides the push rod
    • If the cap is dislodged, the rod will bend

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