Hunter 18.5 standing rigging tuning

[tool_room]

I need information on tuning the standing rigging on my Hunter 18.5. I do not have owners manuals and the one on the download site does not have much information on mast tuning. I need to know how much mast rake I should have, how much pre-bend, and how much tension using my Loos gage should I have on the forestay and shrouds?
Thanks in advance.

 

[RichH]

Here ya go .... this applies to most 'all' masts and rigging combinations: http://www.riggingandsails.com/pdf/selden-tuning.pdf

 

[tool_room]

Thanks RichH. I have this information, but I was looking for something more specific to the Hunter 18.5.

 

[Ken Prichard]

I had a 18.5 and tuned it pretty much the way Rich suggested:
- Centre the mast head with the uppers.
- Tension the uppers to 15 % of breaking strength. I'm not sure but I think the thickness is 1/8". I used a Loose Gauge.
- I tensioned the lowers so the prebend was 3/4" - 1" at the spreaders and the mast track was straight.
- I wasn't too concerned with the rake but if I recall it was only a couple of inches. Too much is just going to produce weather helm.
The boat sailed really well up to about 12 - 13 knots true. Above that the forestay will fall off and you are going to begin developing weather helm. Without a backstay I don't think you can do much about it.
The main has a large roach and is full battened. The boat is getting a little " aged " so there's a pretty good chance the main is showing it's age. That's going to make a big contribution to weather helm. You might want to have a loft look at it.
Enjoy the boat. I did!

 

[tool_room]

Thanks Ken, My sails are 2 years old, and she sails nicely. I have noticed the forestay going slack in stronger winds which concerned me. This past weekend the guy in the slip next to me bent the mast on his McGregor 26, most likely due to insufficient tension on the stays. This got me thinking that I had better make sure mine was tuned properly.