H22 tension gauge

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Jul 26, 2011
35
Hunter 22 Charleston, SC
H22 Rigging tips?

Anybody have any tips for tuning the rigging of an '85 H22? First time stepping mast.
 
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May 24, 2004
7,202
CC 30 South Florida
With your Loos gauge you should have received a wire gauge to determine the diameter of the wires. Most riggin is made up of 1 X 19 staniless strand wire and the breaking strength is determined by the thickness or diameter. For example,

3/32 1,050 lbs
1/8 1,780 lbs
5/32 2,800 lbs
3/16 4,000 lbs
7,32 5,350 lbs
1/4 6,900 lbs

The proper tension should be 10%-15% of the breaking strength. For a 3/16 wire the tension should be around 500 lb. A scale on the Loos gauge will show how to equate the tension reading to pounds.

Make sure the mast is centered and straight with the use of a plumb with the halyard and start tigtehning counting the same number of turns on each side. Once you have reached the desired tension check again that the mast remains straight.
 
Jul 26, 2011
35
Hunter 22 Charleston, SC
Thanks. The H22 manual says the rigging is 5/32, but I'm unsure if that's what I've got... You'll recall with my post about "mast step through-bolts," it seems as though the last owner was into odd modifications.
 
Sep 25, 2011
161
Ericson 25+ Watkins Glen
With your Loos gauge you should have received a wire gauge to determine the diameter of the wires. Most riggin is made up of 1 X 19 staniless strand wire and the breaking strength is determined by the thickness or diameter. For example,

3/32 1,050 lbs
1/8 1,780 lbs
5/32 2,800 lbs
3/16 4,000 lbs
7,32 5,350 lbs
1/4 6,900 lbs

The proper tension should be 10%-15% of the breaking strength. For a 3/16 wire the tension should be around 500 lb. A scale on the Loos gauge will show how to equate the tension reading to pounds.

Make sure the mast is centered and straight with the use of a plumb with the halyard and start tigtehning counting the same number of turns on each side. Once you have reached the desired tension check again that the mast remains straight.

what about rake and bend,is this important for the hunter 22
 
Apr 19, 1999
1,670
Pearson Wanderer Titusville, Florida
Once the mast is up I'd start by slacking all the shrouds and the backstay and adjust the forestay turnbuckle to get about 6 inches of rake (hang a wrench from the main halyard and measure from the back of the mast at the step). Then, as Benny suggested, I'd use the Loos gauge to set the upper shrouds and forestay to about 15% of the wire breaking strength. After that, set the lowers and the backstay to about 10%.

Now, take the boat out with full main and your usual headsail in about 10-15 kt of wind (close to when you'd normally reef the main). These are probably the conditions that place the highest load on your rig. Sail close-hauled and look at the leeward shrouds; there should be no slack. Come about onto the opposite tack and check the opposite side. If both sides are not slack, you're good to go. If not, tighten the loose shroud(s) one full turn and resume sailing closehauled. Repeat the process until the leeward shrouds are just tight on both tacks. There's no need to tighten any more, it just puts more load on the chainplates and the mast step.

Now, measure the tensions with the Loos gauge and note them in your log book along with the sail sizes and wind and wave conditions for future reference if you ever have to set the rig up again.

In case you're wondering, the forestay should be straight or sag slightly to leeward when closehauled under those conditions. When you raise the jib, you can use the jib halyard to fine-tune the tension in the luff (it effectively becomes the forestay) for the prevailing wind on any given day (more for windy days, less for light air days). If I remember correctly, the H22 has a winch on the mast for that purpose. The backstay should be set so it's not slack when sailing closehauled.

Rig tensions should be set for your boat, your sails and the wind conditions in which you typically sail, which is why the final tuning should be done on the water. It's a little more involved but will pay off in terms of reduced load on the rig and chainplates. Good luck.
 
Apr 19, 1999
1,670
Pearson Wanderer Titusville, Florida
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