I am leaving my keel stepped mast up for the winter. Should I loosen the stays? Is so how much, one turn? Thanks
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There was a long discussion last year ...
I think the general consensus was no, don't loosen the shrouds. Contraction of the aluminum mast during cold weather would more than make up for contraction of the stays. I've left my mast up for the last 2 winters and did not loosen the stays.
I think the general consensus was no, don't loosen the shrouds. Contraction of the aluminum mast during cold weather would more than make up for contraction of the stays. I've left my mast up for the last 2 winters and did not loosen the stays.
Bob, I’m sure you’ve
been told this many, many times, but she is one really handsome yacht!!! Paul
been told this many, many times, but she is one really handsome yacht!!! Paul
another reason not to loosen the stays
It is not a good idea to loosen the stays. It allows the mast to be able to have some movement. Consequently, if there are strong winds the mast could start working loose and eventually break a shroud.
It is not a good idea to loosen the stays. It allows the mast to be able to have some movement. Consequently, if there are strong winds the mast could start working loose and eventually break a shroud.
droopy
This is a yearly subject at our club (http://www.tbyc.on.ca/). I pull mine off. I’ve noticed other boaters who leave em’ (some) develop leaks around the chainplates. Some people with rod rigging have had problems including a failure resulting in a de-masting. I suspect aluminum and stainless rigging don’t contract at the same rate and may be putting undue stress on the rig and the deck. I could be wrong, but as my boat was built in 1974 and our club’s mast crane can be used for free, I pull it off, it isn’t difficult. Mind’ja, we do get periods of –20’ish here during the dead of winter. Later, eh! Ferg
This is a yearly subject at our club (http://www.tbyc.on.ca/). I pull mine off. I’ve noticed other boaters who leave em’ (some) develop leaks around the chainplates. Some people with rod rigging have had problems including a failure resulting in a de-masting. I suspect aluminum and stainless rigging don’t contract at the same rate and may be putting undue stress on the rig and the deck. I could be wrong, but as my boat was built in 1974 and our club’s mast crane can be used for free, I pull it off, it isn’t difficult. Mind’ja, we do get periods of –20’ish here during the dead of winter. Later, eh! Ferg
Shouldn't turn turnbuckles under load anyway
If you read the information available on tuning a rig, they almost always recommend that the leeward turnbuckles be tightened when they are LOOSE when you are sailing and doing a fine tuning on the rig. The idea is to avoid pitting inside the threads between the turnbuckle and the swaged threaded fitting at the bottom of the stays. So, it seems that you shouldn't loosen your turnbuckles when the mast is simply straight up and under load. Also, remember that there are folks who sail year round, so why would one consider loosening them in the first place?
If you read the information available on tuning a rig, they almost always recommend that the leeward turnbuckles be tightened when they are LOOSE when you are sailing and doing a fine tuning on the rig. The idea is to avoid pitting inside the threads between the turnbuckle and the swaged threaded fitting at the bottom of the stays. So, it seems that you shouldn't loosen your turnbuckles when the mast is simply straight up and under load. Also, remember that there are folks who sail year round, so why would one consider loosening them in the first place?
my 2¢
Well I use to leave the mast in. I would loosen the stays not completely but from let say 30lb to 10lb. The idea was to have them tight enough to assist the mast and loose enough to prevent "metal fatigue". On this I have to say that I have no real data for proceeding one way or the other, it just worked for me the way I described above. After all is said best way is to remove the mast it allow for a good inspection cleaning etc. a.
Well I use to leave the mast in. I would loosen the stays not completely but from let say 30lb to 10lb. The idea was to have them tight enough to assist the mast and loose enough to prevent "metal fatigue". On this I have to say that I have no real data for proceeding one way or the other, it just worked for me the way I described above. After all is said best way is to remove the mast it allow for a good inspection cleaning etc. a.
I doubt there's been scientific eng. studies
I loosen mine 4 turns then re lock the turn buckles. boats and hulls take on different shapes and loading when on the hard than in the water so i figure what the hell. relieve the load on the land. S/V Que Pasa? p.s. I figure this is also a good reminder to put lube on the threads.
I loosen mine 4 turns then re lock the turn buckles. boats and hulls take on different shapes and loading when on the hard than in the water so i figure what the hell. relieve the load on the land. S/V Que Pasa? p.s. I figure this is also a good reminder to put lube on the threads.
Do not
At my marina for the last 5 years know one loosens any rigging at all,it does get very windy over the winter months.
At my marina for the last 5 years know one loosens any rigging at all,it does get very windy over the winter months.
Loosen the backstay
Usually the backstay set set up hard, to keep the jib or forestay as straight as possible when under sail. These stays are probably under considerably more tension than is necessary to simply support the mast without movement, so I'd slack the backstay at least. I agree with capn jim ( agree with Bob Todd too, but I'm not lucky enuf to own a Nonesuch) : the shrouds & stays can impart a considerable loading on the hull structure and these loads should be relieived when the boat's on the hard. Actually, when not sailing, the backstay should be eased a bit at all times, then retensioned before setting sail. For winter I would slack everything a bit,but keep enough tension to ensure the mast cannot move. And 'lock' the turnbuckles so there's no way they can back themselves off even further.
Usually the backstay set set up hard, to keep the jib or forestay as straight as possible when under sail. These stays are probably under considerably more tension than is necessary to simply support the mast without movement, so I'd slack the backstay at least. I agree with capn jim ( agree with Bob Todd too, but I'm not lucky enuf to own a Nonesuch) : the shrouds & stays can impart a considerable loading on the hull structure and these loads should be relieived when the boat's on the hard. Actually, when not sailing, the backstay should be eased a bit at all times, then retensioned before setting sail. For winter I would slack everything a bit,but keep enough tension to ensure the mast cannot move. And 'lock' the turnbuckles so there's no way they can back themselves off even further.
As a footnote .....
…. After posting on this thread yesterday, I stopped by the boatyard to check my covers and lines. There were 30’ish knot winds and a few boats with the masts up were shaking violently. One in particular, a 32 foot hotrod racing double spreader rig on a trailer was shaking so hard and fast I was afraid to go near it! I stopped at the guy’s business (a bar) and told him about it. He gave me and a pal free beers and a plate of notchos! Later, eh! Ferg
…. After posting on this thread yesterday, I stopped by the boatyard to check my covers and lines. There were 30’ish knot winds and a few boats with the masts up were shaking violently. One in particular, a 32 foot hotrod racing double spreader rig on a trailer was shaking so hard and fast I was afraid to go near it! I stopped at the guy’s business (a bar) and told him about it. He gave me and a pal free beers and a plate of notchos! Later, eh! Ferg
On trailer
Hi, Totally agree with Ferg here, on a trailer it is a different story. One winter we ended up strapping the boat to the trailer and putting blocks at the 4 corners of the trailer, plus the wheels being blocked. That way it did not rock as much and we fell more confident that the boat would not move on the trailer pads. Lots o windage from a trailer. a.
Hi, Totally agree with Ferg here, on a trailer it is a different story. One winter we ended up strapping the boat to the trailer and putting blocks at the 4 corners of the trailer, plus the wheels being blocked. That way it did not rock as much and we fell more confident that the boat would not move on the trailer pads. Lots o windage from a trailer. a.
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