Couple of Questions from a new 94 H26 Owner

[Kevin Flanagan]

I recently purchased a 94 Hunter 26. The boat is in great shape, the previous owner took good care of her. Although I've sailed quite a bit (mostly bigger boats), this is the first boat I've owned. Boat is a little tender, but overall we like it !! Rig Tuning -- Headstay and Mast VibrationAfter stepping the mast, I attached the headstay (with a CDI roller furler). I used the same turnbuckle position as previous owner, there is no visible sag in it. Next I tensioned the upper and lower shrouds to approximateley 800 and 600 lbs respectively (I used these as max values). All the while, I did my best to ensure the mast is centered and there is 6 inches of mast rake. Problem is that once in a while while on a close reach I get a little bit of a luff which causes the headstay to vibrate and the the portion of the mast above the spreaders to vibrate as well. Gotta tell you I'm not real comfortable with the mast vibration...Any comments...advice?Keel -- While cleaning the bottom (boat is in water), I noticed I could push keel up without too much pressure. What holds it down while sailing ?

 

[crazy dave]

Response

Do not worry. The swing centerboard will stay down due to the weight. If you can pull up easy, then you are fine and I bet alot of folks had that complaint.As for the rigging, Usually, you want to have equal distance of the studs in the turn bodies on the forestay and upper or outer shrouds. In the future you may have to adjust if experiencing weather helm. Here is my secret to tuning. Take your two top fingers and without moving your hand, press in on the upper or outer shroud with those two fingers only. you should not get any pull over 1-1/2 inches and the tune of the 26 should be fine. Make sure your hand does not move and only those two finges. Once done, then tune the lowers. You should have a slight prebend toward the back. If you plumb bob the main halyard, you should have a distance appx. 6 inches. From that, you can really fine tune but it is pretty close. I was taught this method by a couple of old salty sea dogs one of whom did tune some pretty well known racing boats.Crazy Dave Condon

 

[Kevin Flanagan]

Reply to Crazy Dave

Thanks for the comeback !!! I'm going to check the rig using your guidance before we go out this AM. Guess I should have been more specific. Is the forestay/mast vibration or "pumping" an indication that the rig is improperly tuned or is this something unique to to the H26 and B&R rig ?? Thanks again

 

[Gerard]

my experience...

When I first bought my 95 26 I had the same problem. I tightened the forestay and that took care of it. Happy sailing today!

 

[Mark]

My experiance??

Mosty yachts I have sailed vibrate when they have to much sail up for the prevailing wind. Yep the mast will vibrate and shake the whole yacht. Reef early sail flat and sail fast!Hey Dave could you please be a little more specific on the "two finger" method.By the way what do you all set the rigging with using a guage????