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The tuning instructions are in the owner's manual. If you don't have one, look in the "reference" section on this web site. I did mine for the first time this year and it was rather simple with the instructions.
Selden reference
If the other suggestion isn't sufficiently detailed for you, Selden has a manual of about 20 pages which does a great job describing the process. Don
If the other suggestion isn't sufficiently detailed for you, Selden has a manual of about 20 pages which does a great job describing the process. Don
This isn't difficult at all. If you can follow a short list of simple instructions and you know how to tighten and loosen turnbuckles, it's a piece of cake. If you're going to try and set the pre-bend, doing it with the mast already stepped makes it slightly difficult to measure the amount of bend halfway up the mast. Of course you can probably eyeball and be reasonably close on that. If the mast is not stepped, then setting the pre-bend is very easy since you can reach the halfway point to measure. One note about pre-bend is that different mains can be cut with differing amounts of expected pre-bend in the mast. It would help to know how your main is cut. The "standard" amount of pre-bend specified in the manual may not actually match well with the cut of the sail. The rest of the task is simply setting the rake and making sure the mast is verical side-to-side. The last part is to check the straightness of the mast and the tension on the leeward shrouds while sailing. You may need to make another minor adjustment to account for that. That's pretty much it. All of this information is in the manual with step-by-step instructions.
Now that I think about it, there is one other difficulty with setting the pre-bend with the mast stepped. I believe there are two turnbuckles for upper shrouds just above the lower spreaders. You'd have to get access to them to adjust. It may be debatable whether a bosun's chair would be a good idea trying to tune a mast with all your weight is hanging from the masthead. I don't think it would be a safety issue (other than the normal safety issues regarding the use of the bosun's chair). Just the effect your weight has on the amount of bend you're trying to set. If you went up on the forward side of the mast it probably wouldn't have much of an impact.
Drop the stick to do it properly!
Tim: In order to do it properly, you really need to drop the stick. Here is a link from this site that will give you some info. There are also some basic instructions in the owners manual. I believe that the manual is also available in the resource library.
Tim: In order to do it properly, you really need to drop the stick. Here is a link from this site that will give you some info. There are also some basic instructions in the owners manual. I believe that the manual is also available in the resource library.
Thanks for the link, Steve D
Is there advice you can give on when to consider re-tuning a B&R rig? My shrouds seem to be good, the mast is straight side-to-side. The backstay seems a little loose (not a very objective observation) and the leach of the mainsail appears loose most of the time. Thanks in advance. Cheers, Bob s/v X SAIL R 8
Is there advice you can give on when to consider re-tuning a B&R rig? My shrouds seem to be good, the mast is straight side-to-side. The backstay seems a little loose (not a very objective observation) and the leach of the mainsail appears loose most of the time. Thanks in advance. Cheers, Bob s/v X SAIL R 8
Retuning...
If everything is tight and straight and the pre-bend is still set, I don't see any reason to mess with it. You can pull the main halyard down tight against the mast at the gooseneck to check the prebend. The gap between the halyard and the mast halfway between the gooseneck and the masthead tells you how much pre-bend you have. The formula to determine the appropriate pre-bend is .01 X mast height above boom. I would think it would take a LOT of shroud/stay stretch to require a re-tuning of the rig (assuming it was tuned correctly at some point). I suppose some boats could have structural problems like compression post issues that would loosen the rig. That would not have any effect on "pre-bend" tuning though.
If everything is tight and straight and the pre-bend is still set, I don't see any reason to mess with it. You can pull the main halyard down tight against the mast at the gooseneck to check the prebend. The gap between the halyard and the mast halfway between the gooseneck and the masthead tells you how much pre-bend you have. The formula to determine the appropriate pre-bend is .01 X mast height above boom. I would think it would take a LOT of shroud/stay stretch to require a re-tuning of the rig (assuming it was tuned correctly at some point). I suppose some boats could have structural problems like compression post issues that would loosen the rig. That would not have any effect on "pre-bend" tuning though.
Please don't even mention
compression post issues, as Hunter 31s have a real history of them. One of my most dreaded tasks is checking the compression post for rotting. Thanks for your advice. I will use the halyard to check for existing pre-bend and make sure the side-to-side is straight. Cheers, Bob s/v X SAIL R 8
compression post issues, as Hunter 31s have a real history of them. One of my most dreaded tasks is checking the compression post for rotting. Thanks for your advice. I will use the halyard to check for existing pre-bend and make sure the side-to-side is straight. Cheers, Bob s/v X SAIL R 8
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