How much is too much?

[razorback]

I recently added an adjustable backstay on my C22.I wish to know how much is the maximum Loos (spell?) Guage reading I should use to avoid peeling back my foredeck or driving my mast through the cabin top. Would I take the reading on the backstay or somewhere else?(I have a rollerfurler) Any help is appreciated.THANKS

 

[tomD]

C-22 tuning

Razorback, General tuning guide for a C-22 is to place a weight on the main halyard 12" below the mast and adjust the headstay until the halyard line is 7 inches aft of the trailing edge of the mast. Then harden the backstay to "snug but not taut" whatever that means. Like you, I have not located a Loos tension value for the backstay.Then, adjust the top shrouds to 28 on the Loos tension guage, and the fwd lower shrouds to 24.Go back and check the rake once more, final adjustment by tightening and not loosening, and that's pretty darn good.

 

[Randy]

Backstay adjustment

The idea of an adjustable backstay is to trim your sails, not to adjust rig tension... use the backstay slack in light air to allow a bow in the forestay This allows a fuller shape delivering more power for the air you have...as the wind picks up, you tighten up on the backstay, this will pull the foresail flatter for a faster shape and start to bend the mast to flatten the main...again as the wind gets higher, tighten the backstay further bending the mast...as the top of the mast is pulled back, the center is forced forward pullin the draft forward and flattening the main... If the backstay is used properly in conjunction with the outhaul and cunningham, you can fly a full main in winds where most people will be reefing. The idea is to change the shape of the sail as the wind dictates.. I recently had a new Kevlar main made for my 22, with NO reef points to compromise the shape of the sail...I have flown this main in winds over 25 knots with great sucess... I would suggest crewing on a boat in a local race to see how all the adjustments are done..