One more "mast tuning" theory

[Arturo DeVitalis]

Because it was too difficult for me to pin the forestay when raising the mast, I reverted to tuning the appropriate stays slightly slack (whatever that is!) to permit an easier pin insertion, and of course the mast leans aft at that point is "over raked". When the Jib is winch-cranked nice and tight, and that tightens up the rig and the forestay go slack; the mast is positioned OK and the rigging is tight again. In essence I am using the jib and not the forestay to position the mast and tighten up the rigging. This sounds too simple and I want you guys to straighten me out.

 

[Doug T.]

Jib luff as forestay

Unless your jib is constructed with this kind of treatment in mind, I'd tend to think this was a bad idea. I sail Lightnings that are rigged with a fairly loose forestay, but the jibs have an internal wire running down inside the luff that's used to keep things tight. There are line controls to trim and adjust the jib wire independently of the jib "cloth".The stress of using the jib's cloth luff to hold up the rest of the rigging will probably shorten its life. Also, since your shrouds are probably too loose, you're going to be putting inordinate shock stresses on the rig when tacking or when the winds vary a lot. In a stiff breeze, your leeward shrouds should not be slack.There are turnbuckles and other fittings available that are very easy to adjust -- they have levers on them. Some even have calibration markings. You could put one on your forestay to make it easier to loosen and tighten.See the links below:http://www.apsltd.com/depts/dept1784.asphttp://www.apsltd.com/depts/dept273.asp

 

[Arturo DeVitalis]

Tks for a better idea

Now I know where the idea came from...I use to crew on a Lightning (Rochester NY). The lever style shround adjuster is a better idea (Johnson Marine). Tks for waking me up!

 

[Ray Bowles]

Arturo, I think a better way to raise the mast

and pin the jib is to use the boom vang to help pull the head stay forward(jib). Hook it to the trailer ladder when raising the mast.I do strongly think your rigging is too lightly tensioned if you get in higher winds, and much more so if you must reef.Ray

 

[Arturo DeVitalis]

The boom vang

would work but I am doing this while under way, or anchored in quiet waters. I am looking at a Johnson Marine catalog, pp 14 quick release lever or their shroud adjuster. Have you any info about them?