Mast Rake- H28 1989

[Dan D]

Looking at the archives, I find that there are as many opinions about mast rake as there are about buying an anchor.

I'm having to refit a 1989 H28 that demasted 2 years ago. The mast is being shipped this week but I'm making plans to step the mast in the first week in May. I think I've got a solid plan to get the mast upright and have made provisions to be able to adjust the position and then cut new standing rigging and attach Sta-Loks to connect up with chain plates etc.

I intend to weight the main halyard and let it dangle just off the deck. What I need is some guidance on how many inches away from the mast I should be.

I have an email to Hunter and one to the mast maker (US Spars- good people to deal with btw). I'm sure I'll get different numbers.

 

[Dan Johnson]

Dan...

If memory serves, when I rigged Hunter trailer boats as a dealer, the instructions indicated that dropping a weighted mainsail halyard down to the boom, it should not be more than six inches aft of the mast at the boom level. That was for the H260. I suspect that same arrangement would serve you well initially until sea trial proves otherwise.

Others may have a more specific to your boat recommendation, but this is a start...

 

[s sauer]

Re: Dan...

I don't know if your '89 model year has the double swept back spreader B&R rig that our 1986 28.5 has , but there would be about 5" of pre-bend set up with the 'x' shrouds before hoisting the mast. If itis a B&R rig, you need more pre tuning info on the set-up.

 

[Alan]

Dan the '89 H28 is not a B&R rig so you can use the conventional rig tuning guide to setup your rig. Mast rake is not a hard and fast number but a suggestion subject to a variable of your own choosing. The general rule for mast rake is 1 to 2 percent of mast height above the gooseneck or P. The P of your rig is 37.5' or 450". 1.5% of 450 = 6.75". Measure back from the trailing edge of the mast along the boom 6.75" and adjust the headstay length till the suspended halyard falls at that point. Then proceed with the rest of your tuning.

 

[Dan D]

Mast Rake

Thanks all for the input

 

[BroadReach]

Mast Rake Basics

Mast rake is determined by the size of the head sail.
If the boat came from the factory with a 100 or 110% head sail, than the 6 to 7 inches recommended is close.
If the sail you are going to use is a 135% then increase the rake to about 12 to 15 inches.
If you have a 150 or 155% you may want to try 15 to 18 inches.

What is the sailing profile that determines if the mast rake is correct ?? It is the amount of weather helm you have.
The name of the game is to obtain zero weather helm using mast rake.
Fine tune the weather helm with the main sheet traveler.

It has been my experience with Hunter that no matter what sail boat they are asked about (ie mast rake) There usual answer is 6 to 8 inches because the head sail they deliver with the boat is a 100 or 110%

Broad Reach
Pensacola, FL

 

[Alan]

Mast Rake Basics

Broadreach, most of what you say is true but the goal is to induce a small amount of weather helm (around 5 degrees) in a moderate breeze. A small weather helm is the ideal condition.