Single handing
- Thread starter WI Rigger
- Start date
Thank You Jon, I will look at shims.
I am reading “Modern Marlinspike Sailor”, it states that my upper shrouds should be at a 11* angle from the top of the spreader to the mast. I also read somewhere, that he spreaders should be at a 10* up angle. What is the meaning for the up angle of the spreader?
Thank You
Ric
I am reading “Modern Marlinspike Sailor”, it states that my upper shrouds should be at a 11* angle from the top of the spreader to the mast. I also read somewhere, that he spreaders should be at a 10* up angle. What is the meaning for the up angle of the spreader?
Thank You
Ric
The idea of having the spreaders angled up is that they’ll better bisect the angle between the spreader and the upper and lower parts of the shroud. That way the shroud doesn’t put a bending force on the spreader. In practice I’ve seen most spreaders purely horizontal, so it probably depends on what the rig was designed for.
As I ponder your answer, I realize that the gin pole I use to raise the mast is to be at a 10* angle to the mast top for optimum advantage. So, would it be fair to say, the spreader is acting like a gin pole in keeping the mast straight side to side?
Thanks
Ric
Thanks
Ric
Yes, the spreader really helps in a couple ways. One is like you said to stabilize the center of the mast. The tension on the shroud is converted to compression of the spreader. That compression opposes the compression of the opposite spreader, helping lock the center of the mast athwartship. The other purpose is to hold the shroud out, so when it reaches the top of the mast it’s making a wider angle than if it were just a direct run from the chainplate. The top of the shroud needs to hold the top of the mast from bending off to leeward, and that would be hard if the shroud were approaching at too slight of an angle.
The more I read and study, I am amazed at all of the physics involved in sailing. That is one of the biggest excitements about having a boat.
You learn something new every day when sailing. Remember there are no stupid questions.
When tuning the mast, it is important to center the top of the mast with the upper shrouds.
When tuning the mast, it is important to center the top of the mast with the upper shrouds.
if you enjoy reading about sailing buy this book. great for beginners. it will help you dial in your vessel and best of all it will teach you about the wind. understanding the wind and how it moves across the surface of our earth is the most important part of mastering a sailing vessel and yet so many don't have a clew.
a full understanding of the wind is the most important part of this game we play.
example: there are only two types of wind, what are. they? every sailor should know
Author of “Modern Marlinspike Sailor” is a real proponent of using a preventer on any size boat. He suggests using a 1/4” nylon line. (nylon because of its dynamic qualities). This line could also be used as the dock spring line. Is 1/4” line strong enough for a spring line?
Could one tie the line to the boom and run it to a sheave fastened to the bow deck plate and then back to yhe cockpit to be made fast when in use? Or some sort of arrangement like this?
Thanks
Ric
Could one tie the line to the boom and run it to a sheave fastened to the bow deck plate and then back to yhe cockpit to be made fast when in use? Or some sort of arrangement like this?
Thanks
Ric
The main is generally carried on the side opposite that the wind is coming from. The preventer gets rigged on the same side as the boom. You can sail with the boom on the same side that the wind is coming from, at least to a few degrees past dead down wind. That’s referred to as sailing by the lee, and it does significantly increase the risk of an accidental gybe. It’s sometimes done for brief periods if you know you’re about to switch back to a normal run, but I wouldn’t get in the habit of it.
Personally I’m not a fan of preventers in most conditions on small boats. The time and crawling around needed to rig the preventer carries some risk in itself. A high wind gybe with a preventer can still do damage if the boom isn’t built for the way the preventer is rigged. Rolling in an ocean swell for a long distance run is a good use case. In normal conditions on protected bays my preference would be to be careful not to run too deep, and always be attentive on a run. Going to windward a we’ll balanced boat should basically steer itself. On a run it does take more care, but I don’t think of the preventer as a universal solution.