Our Vega does not have an adjusting tackle on the backstay either. I
keep the rig fairly loose (leeward stays are slack when beating). I
have never had a mast step compression problem, though I think some
reinforcement in the step area is a good idea for racers (anybody
still race Vegas?) or bluewater cruisers. To address the subject of
mast bend: bend in the mast will remove some of the belly in the
main, move the draft aft and, in a masthead rig, increase forestay
tension. All good things if you are going to windward. The down side
is that, as you crank down on your backstay adjuster, you are
increasing all the loads on your rigging and THE MASTSTEP. I have
reached the stage of life when I embrace the "Gentlemen never sail to
weather (willingly)" concept. I follow Per Brohal's recommendation in
the Vega manual to induce some 'pre-bend' by tightening the forward
lowers slightly more than the aft lowers and this seem to put a nice
shape in my particular mainsail. Wallace Ross's SAIL POWER is
probably still the definitive text on tuning and sail shape for
anyone looking for that extra quarter of a knot - but, hey, these are
good ol' boats, afterall.
Regards,
Jim Legere
ALCYON (#2002)
keep the rig fairly loose (leeward stays are slack when beating). I
have never had a mast step compression problem, though I think some
reinforcement in the step area is a good idea for racers (anybody
still race Vegas?) or bluewater cruisers. To address the subject of
mast bend: bend in the mast will remove some of the belly in the
main, move the draft aft and, in a masthead rig, increase forestay
tension. All good things if you are going to windward. The down side
is that, as you crank down on your backstay adjuster, you are
increasing all the loads on your rigging and THE MASTSTEP. I have
reached the stage of life when I embrace the "Gentlemen never sail to
weather (willingly)" concept. I follow Per Brohal's recommendation in
the Vega manual to induce some 'pre-bend' by tightening the forward
lowers slightly more than the aft lowers and this seem to put a nice
shape in my particular mainsail. Wallace Ross's SAIL POWER is
probably still the definitive text on tuning and sail shape for
anyone looking for that extra quarter of a knot - but, hey, these are
good ol' boats, afterall.
Regards,
Jim Legere
ALCYON (#2002)