Headstay tension

[Don S/V ILLusion]

I think I need to have a rigger check things out but wanted any comments in advance to see if I'm just paranoid.Last season, I noticed the headstay (furler) pumping when the wind got up and have since become increasingly convinced it is too loose (scientific term, I know).About the only empirical info I can describe is that the headstay is nowhere as tight as the other shrouds including the backstay.Should they all feel similar in tension?Rig is a split backstay swept-back double spreader, double lower standard on the Legend serices 40.5s.

 

[Rick D]

Worth A Rigging Inspection

I have not had mine pump as you describe it, but the headstay is not as tight as a masthead sloop either, and my sailmaker said it should not be. He cut the new jib with some allowance for headstay sag. However, since my 40,5 is a 1994, I figured it was time for a full rigging inspection, especially since the rig stays up all year (I hope *o ). With no offence to Moody, it does make my neck stiffen up that I am having an inspection by a guy who makes his living doing rigging, kinda like having your house inspected by a termite inspector. Still, you just sometimes have to hope the guy is straight up and take your chances.Rick D.

 

[Alan]

Don

This question comes up quite a bit.The headstay on your boat is tensioned by the upper shrouds primarily and minimally by the backstay. After you check and set your mast rake, the length of the headstay should no longer be adjusted.Put a Loos gauge on the upper shrouds and tighten to 15% of break tension. Then adjust the lowers to the same. The intermediates are used to adjust mast prebend. One mast diameter is a good average number. After going through this recheck the uppers and increase to 20% if the headstay still feels too loose. Backstay on a frac rig only serves to bend the mast with minimal increase in headstay tension.Let me know how things work out.

 

[Tao]

Alan,

similiar senario with headstay nowhere as tight as shrouds; but cutter rig with roller on headstay, staysail stay, and backstay, with forward and rear intermediate shrouds on each side and one upper on port and starboard.??

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

good info

Thanks guys. My som has some super-duper tension gauge for his racer and will borrow that to try as per Alan's suggestions before going to a rigger.Anyone know what the tension should be on the headstay or is it irrelevant as long as the other rigging is correct?

 

[Alan]

Don

Part II of your question is correct. There are no specs for and there is hardly any way to measure headstay tension especially if there is a furler.

 

[Alan]

Tao

Not quite sure. Are you asking to get more headstay tension with your boat also?Sounds like a single spreader cutter rig. Is it masthead rigged?

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Appreciate the advice

nm

 

[Tao]

Alan,

yes, asking re more headstay, with foil roller, tension. It's a masthead rigged cutter with single spreader. Headstay furler does not have near as much tension as the shrouds.

 

[Alan]

Tao

Your's is very different to Don's.The big advantage to you is that your backstay translates all of its tension into headstay tension. Your mast will not bend very much if at all, but cranking up the backstay will produce the headstay tension you are looking for.You will need to readjust the aft lowers as they will go slack as the backstay loads up. You may want to ease the baby stay(staysail) before you begin this and then tension it after.