How tight is the forestay tension supposed to be on the 460? When sailing on my boat in a decent breeze the forestay really has (what I think anyway)a pretty big bow in it. Never having had a boat without a back stay I just don't know how tight it should be. My Catalina 42 forestay was tight and really did not move at all. Any ideas? Mark Johnson S/V Anthem
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measure the sag
if i remember correctly, the 460 is a masthead rig, which means you have a "headstay" rather than a "forestay," the latter being what you would find on a fractionally rigged boat. You owner's manual should specify the amount of headstay sag that is desired. On mine, (a 410 with an actual forestay) twelve inches is advised. This seemed a little loose to me, but the only way to be sure was to trial-and-error it from that point. I tightened mine just enough so that the foil wouldn't bind (making a loud "clacking" noise) when furling. I'm guessing that i ended up with about 10 inches of sag rather than the original 12. didn't really measure it, since the rig seemed happier at that point.
if i remember correctly, the 460 is a masthead rig, which means you have a "headstay" rather than a "forestay," the latter being what you would find on a fractionally rigged boat. You owner's manual should specify the amount of headstay sag that is desired. On mine, (a 410 with an actual forestay) twelve inches is advised. This seemed a little loose to me, but the only way to be sure was to trial-and-error it from that point. I tightened mine just enough so that the foil wouldn't bind (making a loud "clacking" noise) when furling. I'm guessing that i ended up with about 10 inches of sag rather than the original 12. didn't really measure it, since the rig seemed happier at that point.
Headstay sag
I don't have the manual with me but if my memory serves me (it often doesn't, by the way) they mention 14" of sag on the stay. Check it out. I thought ours was in that neighborhood - and I also thought the rig was tight enough. I intend to get a professional second opinion some day. R. Owen, Mikayla
I don't have the manual with me but if my memory serves me (it often doesn't, by the way) they mention 14" of sag on the stay. Check it out. I thought ours was in that neighborhood - and I also thought the rig was tight enough. I intend to get a professional second opinion some day. R. Owen, Mikayla
Forestay sets mast rake
I recently had master rigger Brion Toss tune my 40.5's rig. He said that you only adjust the headstay to set the rake (How far forward or back the mast leans). You decide how far is needed by first making sure that the deck stepped mast on most Hunters is in complete contact with the step on deck. Then after tuning the rig, sailing it ,and tuning it again under sail, you may adjust it to alter the center of effort (COE) to change weather or lee helm. If you find that there is weather helm you may tighten the head stay while easing the back stay (keeping in mind that there are limits). If you have lee helm, ease the forstay and tighten the backstay. Mast bend is another issue, but involves the shrouds and increased backstay tension, which in turn increases headstay tension but does not change rake. If you have questions regarding rig tuning etc. consider logging on to: briontoss.com. Brion has an extensive site that includes a forum. He is facile with masthead, Bergstrom rigs(legend series), and B&R rigs. Fair winds, Ron s/v Best Revenge Portland, Oregon
I recently had master rigger Brion Toss tune my 40.5's rig. He said that you only adjust the headstay to set the rake (How far forward or back the mast leans). You decide how far is needed by first making sure that the deck stepped mast on most Hunters is in complete contact with the step on deck. Then after tuning the rig, sailing it ,and tuning it again under sail, you may adjust it to alter the center of effort (COE) to change weather or lee helm. If you find that there is weather helm you may tighten the head stay while easing the back stay (keeping in mind that there are limits). If you have lee helm, ease the forstay and tighten the backstay. Mast bend is another issue, but involves the shrouds and increased backstay tension, which in turn increases headstay tension but does not change rake. If you have questions regarding rig tuning etc. consider logging on to: briontoss.com. Brion has an extensive site that includes a forum. He is facile with masthead, Bergstrom rigs(legend series), and B&R rigs. Fair winds, Ron s/v Best Revenge Portland, Oregon
460 Headstay adjustment
Mark, I have not seen the 460, but I have a 450 which is very close. Don't know if you have a furling mast or standard but that should not matter too much. I believe the manual calls for around 12" of headstay sag. The first year we had the boat I set it at that but it really seemed to be too loose. Tightened it up the past 2 year to around 10" and it made a big difference. The head sail did not flop around as much, cleaner angle on the leading edge. I did not tighten the headstay by further adjusting the shrouds which seemed to be set well and the mast had just the right bend, but rather by tightening the headstay itself. Hope this helps.
Mark, I have not seen the 460, but I have a 450 which is very close. Don't know if you have a furling mast or standard but that should not matter too much. I believe the manual calls for around 12" of headstay sag. The first year we had the boat I set it at that but it really seemed to be too loose. Tightened it up the past 2 year to around 10" and it made a big difference. The head sail did not flop around as much, cleaner angle on the leading edge. I did not tighten the headstay by further adjusting the shrouds which seemed to be set well and the mast had just the right bend, but rather by tightening the headstay itself. Hope this helps.
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