You know, it sounds like you got a lemon. "Don't worry about sailing it.....but better lower?" So what is it? Is it perfect or less than perfect? Brand new sail that won't rig right? Forget it. Send it back and get what you paid for. You know how you like your rig. You've spent ten years learning how it should be. Windsurfing is totally personal because we are all physically different. Come to think of it; I'm not fussy, I just know how I like it and there's no reason to settle for less. A fast young fellow on a skinny little Roberts remarked to me that Windsurfing is a sport of minumen (I hope that's right), meaning tiny adjustments. We agreed that it's all about getting all of those adjustments exactly right. That's how you get your kit so tweaked you can sail thoughtlessly, maybe intuitively. I think everything should be as perfect as you are willing to make it. That's just good gear.

hey mtm i was just looking at your pic - why dont you just take the pin collar off your chinook base to get the mast a few cm lower down? mine comes right off but i dont have that newer hinged design.

I did that Dave. It certainly brings things together, no doubt. However, it looks to me like there is a lot of pressure on one edge of the mast bottom because the mast is at a very slight angle due to the curve. I cracked one mast bottom before doing this so I'm a little worried about doing it. I have decided to take KUS's advice and forget about the gap (and to go back to the Flying Beaver to get my Frequent Beaver Card stamped again - never get tired of The Beaver).

BTW. If anyone else has a 2006 Maui Sail with plastic batten tensioners take them apart and put bees wax on the threads before it is too late!

Sounds like you've sorted it out. It would be interesting to know which manufacturers we have had better than good experiences with: the ones that gave you impressive service in these kinds of situations. Mine would be Ezzy after replacing a batten on a used sail; I e-mailed him, he answered, arranged for California to send be a batten free of charge, and paid shipping. As well, I got the impression he was an individual that was able to pay attention to details and address problems effectively; just the kinda guy you want making your gear. I have two Ezzys in my quiver and plan to replace the others as good deals (and cash) arise. I have a lot of confidence in the brand because of my good experience. I wonder if others have had similar dealings with other manufacturers. It might be helpful to know.

How about this. A transcript of an email sent to me a couple of days ago.

"Please send Free of Charge via U.S. Mail:

4 X Code#: 70602045 – Description: Batten Tensioner 4 mm (note, this includes tensioner and threaded rod for a 2006 MauiSails Switch)
Please send at the earliest so we get this guy back on the water soon."

That's pretty good service.

Follow up: I received SEVENTEEN (17) batten tensioning sleeves and tensioner screws in a small box via the US mail from Maui Sails. Seven with plastic screws and ten with stainless screws. I have enough to share with the entire free world.