Floppy leeward shrouds, mast raked forward

[Mama Bruff]

My husband and I are new to sailing, and bought a 1984 OD222. The mast rakes forward when it is all set up (sails down), and when sailing, the leeward shrouds are slack, almost floppy. The fore and aft shrouds have plenty of adjustment room on the turnbuckles, but the side shrouds are adjusted all the way in. Is there some other way to shorten or tighten them, or should we just buy new ones? I have no idea how old they are, but they're not frayed or rusted. I have checked in the archives, and haven't seen this problem addressed. Any information is greatly appreciated.MB

 

[Don Evans]

Shrouds...

Leeward shrouds should not be floppin. Sounds as though your shrouds have stretched, and possibly cut on the longish side originally. I would take them to a rigging loft and get there opinion. If they are in OK condition you could have them shortened, reswaged and get a few more years out of them. Chances are though after 18 years of use (if there original) they need replacing. Might as well do them all. The aft stay should be cranked down, to bring the mast back into column. Instead of guessing at all this, why not by a Loos rigging wire guage ($40) and go by the numbers. Don

 

[Justin - O'day Owners' Web]

What Don says

When Don beats me to a post I usually have little to add - true this time.I would start, however, by asking the friendliest looking guy at the anchorage or marina to have a look with you. I'd have a six pack of your favorite beverage - alcoholic or not, up to you - available to him as a thank you.Justin - O'day Owners' Web

 

[Vic]

But then again ... the entire problem could be ...

the forestay is set too short ... and if it is too short then possibly the shrouds are too long if the top of the mast is in the wrong position ... but the main problem is that the mast rakes forward. I would try to solve that problem first ... as it does change the performance. Let out half the available length on the forestay thread and pick it up on the backstay and see if the shroud length changes. Leeward shrouds on a cruising boat like the oday seem to be loose in a decent breeze. As long as the mast is centered on the boat and the chain plates solid ... a little looseness doesn't seem to matter. Make sure the chain plates are solid. Then again you may need new shrouds but that is a lot of stretch if it is all eaten up.You may not be talking a lot of too long here ... if you can pick up 3/4 inch it may be the answer.

 

[Mama Bruff]

And the chain plates are where the stays attach...

to the boat...or to the mast? Thanks for your help. We are joining a sailboat club at the lake, and will have the commodore take a look. It's kinda overwhelming, lots to learn for us old geezers (42). It's all worth it though, when under sail power! Wow ...MB