mast tuneing
Sorry, prop size and mast tune seem to be things that I've written hundreds of pages of answers on. I know the search engine isn't up to snuff...PHIL????...so I'll do this one moooooore time. begin with all the shrouds tensioned just a bit and adjust the headstay first measureing the rake so that the halyard when dropped to the deck lands about 8 inches behind the mast step. Measure then with the halyard port and starboard to two identicle deck locations to check if the mast is centered port and strb if not adjust it till it is by loosening and tightning the shrouds on the appropriate side.. Counting the turns on the turnbuckle..Now tighten the uppers untill you bend the mast about 8-12 inches in the middle turn each turnbuckle the same number of turns.. Now pull some of the bend out by tightening the entermediates so that you have about 4-6inches of bend in the center of the spar count each turn and adjust each side the same. (do these adjustments in small increments like 2 turns per side then repeat as nessicary) (after some experience you'll make adjustments and feel the tension that 1/2 to 1 turn induces. (If you turn the buckle 1 turn on port you're going to double the tension when you've to turn the starboard one to match.) Sight up the mast from behind and the track in the center should run straight and have no bend from side to side, you should be able to see that the mast has a gentle even curve back. If it doesn't then you have to adjust the bend out by applying turns to the side away from where it bends. Now take the halyard and measure side to side to two identicle port and strd locations to determine that the mast is still sitting straight up and down in the center measured port to starboard. If it's not adjust accordingly. Now take the boat out and ail it on port and starboard tacks sighting up the mast to make sure it stays in column left and right and does not bend. If the shrouds on the leward side become loose and move around then you need to adjust the shrouds again by tightening them both equally. It's an art and it's hard to teach..good luck JB
