H22 Shroud Tension
Chuck, I assume you are asking what tension should be on the shrouds. I do not know if there are spec. numbers, but I use the method that I did for 30 years on a Ligthning. Start with all shrouds taken up enough to remove slack. Then adjust port to starb., and fore and aft, back and forth to set the mast as plumb as possible, athwartship, with a rake to the mast as needed to give you the "helm" you like. (See chapter 7 of "Sail Power" or a good book on tuning. Your local bookstore should have some books on sailing and racing that you can get.) You do not want a lot of tension on any shroud as it introduces unnecessary forces to chain plates, etc. "Simply enough" to keep the mast straight. Best to take the boat out and sail it on both a port and starb. tack. Sight up the lenght of the mast and look for curvature. If the mast is curve above the spreaders only adjust just the uppers. If there is a bow the entire lenght then adjust the lowers. This assumes you got the mast plumb to strat with. As for tension I look for slack in the shrounds on each direction of sail and remove some of it. But if for example I get alot of slack on a port tack, I take up both upper and lower by the same amount but not dead tight. Want to do it more scientificaly? Go to West Marine or Layline and get a rig tension gauge. Loos or Sure Check go for about $50-60.00 @ Layline. Also a good source for tuning and sail trim books.
