I'm storing with the Mast Up this winter. How much should one loosen the turnbuckles to accomodate cold temperatures? Not that I expect there to be a science to it, but is there a general rule of thumb? The mast is 50' so I don't want to create too much rocking. Thanks.
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What?!
I'm looking forward to the replies on your question since I've never heard of loosening the turnbuckles for winter storge, with the mast up. I've had my boat four years now and I've never done it. My question to you is why do it at all? Have I missed something?
I'm looking forward to the replies on your question since I've never heard of loosening the turnbuckles for winter storge, with the mast up. I've had my boat four years now and I've never done it. My question to you is why do it at all? Have I missed something?
Steel vs. Aluminum
I don't know whether or not this is something that you are supposed to do, but I am not sure that it would make sense to have to. Sure, materials shrink with a drop in temperature. However, the coefficient of thermal expansion for aluminum (mast) is larger that that of steel (rigging). So, if the temps drop really far, the mast will shrink more relative to the rigging, and it would tend to loosen the rigging for you - loosening would only seem to compound the loosening problem. I am not sure if there is another reason to loosen the rigging, but cold temperature really don't make sense (unless I am missing something).
I don't know whether or not this is something that you are supposed to do, but I am not sure that it would make sense to have to. Sure, materials shrink with a drop in temperature. However, the coefficient of thermal expansion for aluminum (mast) is larger that that of steel (rigging). So, if the temps drop really far, the mast will shrink more relative to the rigging, and it would tend to loosen the rigging for you - loosening would only seem to compound the loosening problem. I am not sure if there is another reason to loosen the rigging, but cold temperature really don't make sense (unless I am missing something).
Unnecessary
As someone already pointed out, the mast will contract more than the rigging so it's a common misconception this should be done at all. Leave the rigging and it will be fine. Besides, the temp has already dropped into the 20's locally. Don Illusion
As someone already pointed out, the mast will contract more than the rigging so it's a common misconception this should be done at all. Leave the rigging and it will be fine. Besides, the temp has already dropped into the 20's locally. Don Illusion
On my 33.5...
Last year I loosened the turnbuckles 1 turn each. Don't know if it helped or not, but it was a cold snowy winter here in Rochester and the rigging did just fine.
Last year I loosened the turnbuckles 1 turn each. Don't know if it helped or not, but it was a cold snowy winter here in Rochester and the rigging did just fine.
Interesting
Wow. Maybe I'm way off base. I included links to the two articles that pointed me towards loosening the Turnbuckles so you don't think I'm crazy. I'll leave them as is for the winter. Thanks all. http://www.sailnet.com/collections/articles/index.cfm?articleid=smithj0004 http://www.harken.com/rigtips/haulout.php
Wow. Maybe I'm way off base. I included links to the two articles that pointed me towards loosening the Turnbuckles so you don't think I'm crazy. I'll leave them as is for the winter. Thanks all. http://www.sailnet.com/collections/articles/index.cfm?articleid=smithj0004 http://www.harken.com/rigtips/haulout.php
Hey Ken
Ken, I neglected to respond on the other thread re: Water Heater. Yes, when winterizing the system I had both hot and cold faucets open. Further inspection by opening the drain on the Water Heater produced pink stuff so you were right, I sucked it right in. Thanks for your help.
Ken, I neglected to respond on the other thread re: Water Heater. Yes, when winterizing the system I had both hot and cold faucets open. Further inspection by opening the drain on the Water Heater produced pink stuff so you were right, I sucked it right in. Thanks for your help.
Jared and Don are correct
Pete, I read the article attached to the link you posted from Harken. The guy who wrote the article, Mike Lee, knows nothing about thermal expansion and contraction. In the lower temps of winter, the mast contracts at a far greater rate than the standing rigging, thereby loosening the tension in the entire rig. By loosening the turnbuckles, you reduces the tension further and allow for too much play in the mast and its base. Bad idea!
Pete, I read the article attached to the link you posted from Harken. The guy who wrote the article, Mike Lee, knows nothing about thermal expansion and contraction. In the lower temps of winter, the mast contracts at a far greater rate than the standing rigging, thereby loosening the tension in the entire rig. By loosening the turnbuckles, you reduces the tension further and allow for too much play in the mast and its base. Bad idea!
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