Mast stepping and rigging tension

[Michael Stephens]

I tuned my rigging last year to Hunter specs. Sailed most of the year after tuning with no problem. I took the mast down for winter storage and just yesterday re-stepped the mast to go back in the water. Wow, was that rigging tight to get the mast upright again. Kind of scarey. I haven't had a chance to check the tension yet but it was sure tight going back up again. Anyone else notice this?

 

[Colin]

Many, many times.

For the purposes of logistics, I step and unstep my mast three times a year. Evry time you re-step the mast the rigging is very tight initially. I don't think would happen if the rigging was alowed to just hang straight down as it does when on the boat, however, we all bend it about during storage and the lays become looser and shorter. They stay that way till serious load is once agian applied and the rigging is poulled tight again.I put mine up a little slack to start with, then tighten it down after each sail till I get a good blow. The turn buckles usually end up about the same place each time.

 

[Ray Bowles]

When the mast is truly tuned to proper spec's it

should be darn hard to raise. Using the boom vang block and line to pull the roller furling forward to be pinned helps alot. I would guess that if you could raise the mast without it you would find your actual rig tension is less than 50 percent of full value, and that's a high rating. Mine was more like 25 percent when actually measured with a gauge.Try the vang next time.RayS/V SpeedyPS. When set right the performance and pointing ability is so much better than before that you'd have thought you installed a new set of North sails.

 

[Jeff Peltier]

guide lines

You should find that it seems a little tighter, but make sure it isn't because one of the turn buckles isn't binding on the clevis or the ball joints on the mast are seated properly.Jeff Peltier

 

[Michael Bell]

Know it’s a hassle, but…

Loosen the rigging. Certainly before raising the mast, so you might as well loosen it before lowering it. That will make getting the pin out from the front stay a lot easier.Trying to raise the mast under tension just puts a lot of strain on the raising systemYes, you then have to re-tension the side stays – every time. And yes, you need a gauge.