Hunter 260 standing rigging adjust

[Tim Gunderson]

Hi, I bought a Hunter 260 (2001 vintage) in 2004 and for the first time, I am preparing to tune my standing rigging. I noticed that the shrouds have become loose on the leeward side when tacking in moderate wind. I've read Hunter's instructions and the forums on this sight, including the detailed instructions posted by Ray & Maria Bowles. I think I understand their step by step procedures but I'm a little unclear regarding the correct tensions (min/max) for the 5/32" shrouds. I do understand the shroud tension will affect the forstay (CDI roller furling), the rake, and the bend so I will have to make a judgement call on that. I also can't find any tension information for the 1/8" cables that go from the spreaders down to the mast. Can anyone advise? Your help would be so much appreciated. Thanks.

Tim

 

[Craig Cook]

Tim, what brand mast do you have? When I finally figured that part out(thanks to some very patient and knowledgeable members of this forum), I found everything I needed on the manufacturers website. That said, to follow their instructions I did need a LOOS tension gauge. The tensioning instructions included tension specs listed as percentage of breaking strength of the rig wire rope. There was no min/max either, the specs called for exact tension settings on the LOOS gauge. Hope this helps a little.

 

[Tim Gunderson]

Thanks Craig. I will have to verify the maker of my mast and then, hopefully, I will be able to check for the information on their site.

 

[Tim Gunderson]

Hi Craig, I checked and it appears that my mast was manufactured by Z Spar, Inc. I haven't been able to find anything on the internet yet about their specs for my Hunter 260. Yesterday I adjusted the upper shrouds to 523 pounds (36 on the Loos gauge) and the lower shrouds to 390 pounds (32 on the Loos gauge) to maintain mast bend. I'm still wondering most about the shrouds from the spreader down to the mast, i.e., the 1/8" cable. I set them at 150 pounds (16 on the Loos gauge) because I couldn't find any advice on the internet or this site except for breaking strength for 1/8" cable.

I called hunterowners.com and they said that hunter does not provide any tension specs for rigging and that I should either watch youtube videos or have a professional rigger do the work. I sure appreciate your help and I'm also wondering if there's anyone else out there that can help point me to the right information? Thanks.

Tim

 

[Craig Cook]

Tim, this is from the USSpars website
US Spars Your Z Spar source for * Masts * Booms * Rigging * and all associated hardware