H34 rig tension

kloudie1 · Aug 5, 2021

Mine is not quite what I would describe as "that" tight in the shrouds .. but mine is tightened to not be loose on either tack in 25 or so knots true ..more like the strings of a bass and not a guitar? the headstay and backstay are a very little tighter than the shrouds..
EDIT: The headstay, backstay and the lower shrouds are 9/32", slightly larger than most boats that size and feel pretty tight when they are about right.. Another possibility is that some bozo tuned it using the method for a B&R rig without a backstay which would result in tighter shrouds..

Artey1 · Aug 12, 2021

kloudie1 said:
Mine is not quite what I would describe as "that" tight in the shrouds .. but mine is tightened to not be loose on either tack in 25 or so knots true ..more like the strings of a bass and not a guitar? the headstay and backstay are a very little tighter than the shrouds..
EDIT: The headstay, backstay and the lower shrouds are 9/32", slightly larger than most boats that size and feel pretty tight when they are about right.. Another possibility is that some bozo tuned it using the method for a B&R rig without a backstay which would result in tighter shrouds..

I can't speak to my forestay since its got furling extrusion around it, but was your rig upsized at some point? The split portion of my backstays are 1/4" and my shrouds V1 and V2 are 1/4". My D1 is 9/32.

markwbird · Aug 12, 2021

Depends on which stays you are talking about. The backstay and forestay will feel more loose than the sidestays and the diagonal stays will be quite tight. The diagionals are responsible for creating the mast bend so they are what they are. The H-34 has the B&R Rig with the backstay added for good measure so the sidestays also act as backstays and will be quite tight relative to the forestay because geometry. Is the mast straight? How loose to the leeward sidestays get when sailing? Since you just bought the boat a rig tune is in order anyway.

markwbird · Aug 13, 2021

DeniseO30 said:
Oh I'm not even going to try and address tuning yet, I call them the shrouds the side stays, they are pretty freaking tight! There is bend in the mast I am aware it's a b&r rig, and I did read up on it, it didn't scare me away.

As rig tuning goes the H-34 is challenging to say the least.

Artey1 · Aug 13, 2021

markwbird said:
As rig tuning goes the H-34 is challenging to say the least.

AGREED!

Globe Pilot · Jun 20, 2022

Agreed!

Selden's manual is excellent, but doesn't cover my 1984 H34 which is not a pure B&R, because it has a backstay. The next closest is the Masthead, multi-spreader rig, swept spreaders, deck-stepped mast, FORWARD and aft lowers shrouds on page 36; but this rig doesn't have forward shrouds. How would you tune it if you were me?

I feel like it's a B&R rig with suspenders in addition to the belt. So maybe tune it as a pure B&R then put 15% onto the backstay because it needs some amount of pre-load? This would reduce shroud tension but can always pick up the slack by tightening (if necessary) while tacking.

jssailem · Jun 22, 2022

Globe Pilot said:
So maybe tune it as a pure B&R then put 15% onto the backstay

Interesting way of looking at your rig. It works. Care should be considered in tensioning your backstay.

You tension the B&R rig to maintain the mast in column and create prebend in the mast.

You add tension to a backstay to trim shape the sails not to add a specific tension to the rigging. Too much tension (pulling the top 20% of the mast aft) will weaken the upper mast extrusion.

MikeHoncho · Jun 25, 2022

Estimating tension is a crap shoot unless at one extreme or the other. Loos gauge will give definitive numbers while also the next Nanking you to compare tensions throughout north he rigging. Then sail it and adjust like mentioned above