Hello I just became part owner of a retired(2002 model) Moorings Beneteau Oceanis 473. I have two questions. 1. The rig seems very loose to me. The people I have discussed this with have been very reluctant to give any advice. So I turn to you, experienced Beneteau sailors, how hard do you tension your rigs? 2. Does anyone know how much a Moorings model differs from the original Beneteau model? Regards Richard yacht Indian Summer
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Hand tight
I've had riggers tell me that the turnbuckles should be no more than hand tight on any rig. In other words you should not need or use tools to tighten the shrouds/stays. Two important rules seem to be, 1. while the boat is at the dock and no sails are up make sure the mast is straight from side to side, 2. when under sail in moderate winds (10-15kts) it's OK to have some minor sag in the leeward shrouds but they should not be flopping around. If you have any doubts about how it's tuned or your ability to adjust it I would consult a professional rigger. There are a lot of things ona sailboat that can break and you'll be fine, the rig is not one of them.
I've had riggers tell me that the turnbuckles should be no more than hand tight on any rig. In other words you should not need or use tools to tighten the shrouds/stays. Two important rules seem to be, 1. while the boat is at the dock and no sails are up make sure the mast is straight from side to side, 2. when under sail in moderate winds (10-15kts) it's OK to have some minor sag in the leeward shrouds but they should not be flopping around. If you have any doubts about how it's tuned or your ability to adjust it I would consult a professional rigger. There are a lot of things ona sailboat that can break and you'll be fine, the rig is not one of them.
Model Differences
I too have just purchased a semi retired (two year charter) 2005 Sunsail version of the 473. I looked around quite a bit before at many 473's in various versions before I settled on "AIDA". The main difference that I saw was in the cabin layout. Most of the "charter built" 473's had the four cabin two head layout. The moorings and sunsail versions had three cabins with three heads, which is the version that I have. One of the aft heads is being converted into a "laundry room" .. this was my compromise with the Admiral for buying the boat..... another change is longitudinal kitchen along the Port side as opposed to the "L" Galley on the standard versions. Anyhow, other than that, a few subtle cosmetic changes that i noted, like white plastic companionway step frame (steps are wood). The basic sail plan and rigging seems to be similar. I am in the process of upgrading the electronics and installing spinnaker rigging which is lacking. Any feedback is more than welcome. Would like to share ideas with others who have similar boats.
I too have just purchased a semi retired (two year charter) 2005 Sunsail version of the 473. I looked around quite a bit before at many 473's in various versions before I settled on "AIDA". The main difference that I saw was in the cabin layout. Most of the "charter built" 473's had the four cabin two head layout. The moorings and sunsail versions had three cabins with three heads, which is the version that I have. One of the aft heads is being converted into a "laundry room" .. this was my compromise with the Admiral for buying the boat..... another change is longitudinal kitchen along the Port side as opposed to the "L" Galley on the standard versions. Anyhow, other than that, a few subtle cosmetic changes that i noted, like white plastic companionway step frame (steps are wood). The basic sail plan and rigging seems to be similar. I am in the process of upgrading the electronics and installing spinnaker rigging which is lacking. Any feedback is more than welcome. Would like to share ideas with others who have similar boats.
More confusion
ThankYou for your replies, even if they did not make me less confused. As for the difference (we have the 4 cabin 2 head layout, which is great when you have 3 kids)between Moorings and original I have been told that the mast is shorter and keel is longer on the Moorings version. But I cant find the information in my boat papers. As for rig tension, I have asked riggers but they do not agree with each other. Rigging seems to be far from an exact sience. My turnbuckles are thighter than handtigth but I wound like to tension them until I have no swaying in the lower leestay when heeled about 15 degrees. My concerns in doing this is that the turnbuckles are set after 6 years without turning and i am afraid of damaging them plus the risk of the hull being to soft for that kind of tension. Comments?? I do not want to lose the rig in midatlantic when crossing to Barbados this winter. Richard
ThankYou for your replies, even if they did not make me less confused. As for the difference (we have the 4 cabin 2 head layout, which is great when you have 3 kids)between Moorings and original I have been told that the mast is shorter and keel is longer on the Moorings version. But I cant find the information in my boat papers. As for rig tension, I have asked riggers but they do not agree with each other. Rigging seems to be far from an exact sience. My turnbuckles are thighter than handtigth but I wound like to tension them until I have no swaying in the lower leestay when heeled about 15 degrees. My concerns in doing this is that the turnbuckles are set after 6 years without turning and i am afraid of damaging them plus the risk of the hull being to soft for that kind of tension. Comments?? I do not want to lose the rig in midatlantic when crossing to Barbados this winter. Richard
Should be OK
I would think you'll be OK to tighten the shrouds up a little bit. If the boat is only 6 yrs old I wouldn't expect the turnbuckles to be frozen or the deck to be mushy. Give it a try but make sure whatever you do on one side you do to the other. So if you make 1/2 turn on port do the same on starboard, etc. Also adjusting the turnbuckle make sure the shrouds are staying put and not twisting. You may have to hold the end fitting on the shroud to prevent that from happening. I'd do no more than a 1/2 turn at a time, then go check to see how they are. Best if you can do this while under sail but that's not always possible. Remember with 15 degrees of heel some slack is normal, you just don't want them so loose they're waving around. Whatever you do don't overtighten them or you'll create stress on the deck, chain plates and rigging. Good luck.
I would think you'll be OK to tighten the shrouds up a little bit. If the boat is only 6 yrs old I wouldn't expect the turnbuckles to be frozen or the deck to be mushy. Give it a try but make sure whatever you do on one side you do to the other. So if you make 1/2 turn on port do the same on starboard, etc. Also adjusting the turnbuckle make sure the shrouds are staying put and not twisting. You may have to hold the end fitting on the shroud to prevent that from happening. I'd do no more than a 1/2 turn at a time, then go check to see how they are. Best if you can do this while under sail but that's not always possible. Remember with 15 degrees of heel some slack is normal, you just don't want them so loose they're waving around. Whatever you do don't overtighten them or you'll create stress on the deck, chain plates and rigging. Good luck.
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