I have a 22 ft O'Day, 1977. Just went for our first sail, had a ball. what is the proper tension on the fore/aft/side stays? I have a device to measure it.
thanks,
thanks,
Mast stay tension
- Thread starter jnolan
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Are you using a Loos Gauge? If so, you need to know the diameter of your stays. For instance, my 222 O'Day has 1/8" stays and I'm setting the upper stays, fore stay, and back stay at number 15. The lower stays should be a little slacker than the upper stays. My lower stays are 5/32" though, so I have them set at 15. I would use the lowest number in the range for the diameter of your stays, and set the lower stays a little less taught.
Joe
joe: i have been thinking of getting a gauge. what model loos are you using. (my oday 20 has 1/8 stays.)
I've got the Model A Loos Gauge which cover 1/8" to 5/32" stays. My uppers are 1/8" and my lowers are 5/32". They made two different styles of loos Gauges. I have the older style that you have to hold on to the gauge and pull it out to a mark to get the reading. The other one is simply attached to the stay and you can adjust the wire and watch it at the same time. They're both very pricey. Here's a link to it:
http://mauriprosailing.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=MPS&Category_Code=TENGAU
Joe
This gauge is something that you may use about once a year. If you know of a couple of guys that may want to invest in the gauge with you, you could take turns using it. I've lent my gauge out to guys in the yacht club through the years. I had a friend in Ohio who wanted to borrow it too. Let's see,--send my gauge from Massachusetts to Ohio,--- hummm---I don't think so!
When I bought my Loos Gauge years ago at E&B Marine, which later got bought out by Worst Marine, they were selling for between $15 and $20 back then. I saw a Model B loos Gauge in a consignment store in Newport RI a few years ago for only $5.00. I can't believe that they want $60 for these gauges. They aren't worth that kind of money.Joe
The best thing about using a tension gauge is the fact that when your readings are the same, your mast has to be straight. I would use the lowest number in that range of the thickness of your stays as shown on the gauge.
Smooth Sailing!
Joe
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