Mast Rake Reality

[Ric Shultz]

Et al.All this discussion regarding mast rake distances based on trig, cosign, etc is great for the egg heads, but what we reality want to know is how much. How many inches from the mast to the hanging halyard at the goose neck should it be for a 25 (me), 26, 27, etc. Does Rudy have the specs?Ric"comes a time"New Hampshire

 

[Justin - O'day Owners' Web]

It varies a lot

Rig tune is pretty personal to the boat. Mast rake contributes to helm feel. Forward leads to lee helm, aft to weather helm. How much rake you need depends on the size, cut, and condition of your sails and the feel you want in the helm coupled with the type of sailing you do.Many cruiser want enough weather helm that if you take your hand off the stick the boat rounds up. Many racers want it closer to balanced. This leads a boat that can be trickier to drive well but decreases the drag the rudder produces.If you're a cruiser type, I'd set the rig up so that that halyard hangs ~ 4 inches aft of the mast and then try it. If your canvass is new you'll likely find its close to right. If your mainsail is bagged out then you may want to go forward slightly. If your genoa is shot, or small, you may move it slightly aft.This isn't the answer you asked for buts abour the right one.Justin - O'day Owners' Web

 

[Ric Shultz]

Thanks Justin

JustinThanks, 4" is a good start. I'll get her out and fine tune from there. I should adjust for my most popular (130) genoa?Ric