B&R rig tuning take 1

[SteveHughessails]

This pre-bend is likely too much but I can see it basically includes the entire mast centered around the spreaders for sure. Not too much time to spend on the vessel this weekend. Every time I drive by her it no longer looks fast, just wrong now LOL

Thanks for hanging in here with me guys, appreciate it. I am confident I will get it.

 

[SteveHughessails]

I managed to get a bit of time on her today. I loosened the forestay to the maximum length then proceeded to tighten the side shrouds. I only tightened D1 to 10% and V1 tightened only to about 5%. I can see the mast has to go even further back yet.

I know from last year trying to hook my forestay up, it was too tight. I measured the length, it is 3 inches shorter than the stock forestay. I was able to get the stock length from the manual. I didn't know that I had to loosen the side shrouds too. It was then that I decided to tune this rig and try and learn more. I now know I definitely need a longer forestay. This one is still like new. I am considering a forestay extension plate?

 

[SteveHughessails]

I found a 5” CS Johnson stay extension rated at 2800lbs this will surely get me by with our fair weather sailing adventures (for now).

Makes me wonder, why so much effort to pull this mast forward? Is there any reason for it? What will I find out once I set the rake + properly?

 

[colemj]

The rake of the mast effects the center of effort of the sailplan. Too far forward and you will have lee helm, where the boat is always fighting you trying to turn away from the wind. Too far aft, and you will have weather helm, where the boat is always fighting you trying to turn into the wind.

Get it just right, and the boat is marvelously balanced, and steering is easy with good feedback.

Mark

 

[SteveHughessails]

Thanks guys!

Thank you for that explanation Mark. It really helped me to understand this effort. On one of our adventures out with the Mac25 we were pulled around quite strongly: at one point we were caught up in some stimulating wind doing circles (we lowered the sails, okay maybe a circle ). The Mac25 has a heavy rudder beating the wind, weather helm. I can also clearly remember loosening the forestay to hook it up. Hmmmmmmm

We have had so much fun just getting out on the water and lifting sails, learning. I’m loving this.

Thanks again
Steve