Rig Tension 1990 35.5

[MikeL]

Looking for some input for rig set-up. I have set the rake with forstay for about 10" with no prebend, then set the prebend for 4-6" with the backstay turnbuckles. I have the cap shrouds set at 20%, the intermediates and lowers at 15%. What I see when it is blowing 15knots as I get a puff the mast is moving for and aft a bit due to the sudden pressure from the 155 mylar, not sure if this is normal. Then the back stay is real easy to pull all the way down. I am wonder if the intermediates and lowers should be tighter, will that help with forestay tension. I just picked the boat up this past spring and have won 2 of the last 3 races and just want to get all I can out of her. If I pull doun the backstay will the forestay tension increase?, It appears it does not help much. Are there any mods I can do to increase forstay tension? Thanks for you input..

 

[Alan]

Mike,

I'm just reading your post for the first time. The jumper strut will solve your headstay issues. I'll be aboard my boat on Thursday and I'll get the rig tension numbers for you. I would suggest that the mast pumping you are seeing will diminish with better cap shroud tension and backstay. Mast pumping is to be kept as small as possible for the sake of the rig and performance.
Thanks for the VPP package, it's great. Wish I'd had it a long time ago.

 

[Alan]

Mike, the readings from the Loos Gauge for my rig are:
Cap Shroud : 9/32" wire at 3000#
Intermediate : 7/32" wire at 2300# (this one controls prebend)
Lower Shrouds : 9/32" wire at 3000#

These are all high on the working scale but I've used these settings for years now with great success. With these numbers there will be absolutely no mast pumping and the leeward shrouds will remain tensioned no matter the wind speed with almost no mast tip drop off.

 

[Alan]

OOOPs, sorry I misstated one of the readings. The intermediates (7/32" wire) are set at 1400# not 2300# as is reported. But most importantly the cap shrouds, which are responsible for most of the headstay tension are set at 3000# and have great control over masthead drop off.

 

[MikeL]

OOOPs, sorry I misstated one of the readings. The intermediates (7/32" wire) are set at 1400# not 2300# as is reported. But most importantly the cap shrouds, which are responsible for most of the headstay tension are set at 3000# and have great control over masthead drop off.

The higher tension surely stopped the pumping in did actually tighten the forestay some, I did not go up to 3000# but may in the spring. I did win the last club race of the year, the perfect start helped too. I could not get a response from Rigright for the jumper strut. Know of any other resources? Do you have any detail/specs of yours?
Thanks.