I have a 15 foot Spindrift Rascal that I just bought. Tge standing rigging does not have a turnbuckle only a part that allows pin to be inserted. How do I properly tension?
How to adjust port starboard and head stay cables holding up mast
- Thread starter PConti2025
- Start date
I found information on the preferred 'tuning' of my boats standing rigging on a racing association's web site. Since the masts are almost self-standing on these small dinghy sloops, the shrouds are much looser than on larger boats. The forstay is used to set the rake of the mast, rather then the jib's luff tension. The angle of the mast rake controls the amount of weather helm. Rig the mast on the dry and walk away to judge the mast rake. Use the same pin holes when rigging on the water.
I had a feeling someone would chime in with a response along those lines regarding tension but I wasn't 100% sure. However, if you overtension both sides, the mast will be pushed downwards into the boat. Most of the time it's fine but not all boats are built the same. The 420 I had as a kid (I pulled it out of the trash) had a bent mast and stretched out stays. As far as I could tell, it sailed just fine but then again I was only 13 and had only sailed on dinghies. I'm not sure what your sailing experience is but the best lessons I ever got were capsizing lessons. I rarely get nervous on the water.