Bent Mast ?

[Jack O'Brien]

I think the stinkpotters who forced the mast up on my boat before I bought it had the backstay & shrouds too tight & bent it when they connected the bottom of the forestay to the bow. I raised it today for the first time & it looks like its bending back above the forestay attachment point although I have the backstay almost slack. Do I presume correctly that an unstressed mast should be straight? If it is bent can it be straightened? If it stays bent what effect will that have on my sail trim or sailing performance?

 

[MArk]

Bent stick

Jack,My favorite rig tuning article (especially for 26X) on related link. Expains why the mast should be bent and how to do it without messing things up.Happy sails,MArk

 

[Jack O'Brien]

Bent Mast ? NOT

Mark: Thanks mucho for that rigging article. Mast is not bent - backstay wasn't as loose as I thought.Jack