I own a 1987 O'day 272 LE. She sails differently on each tack. Also, the roller furling gives too much when pointing (well, sort of pointing). I understand I need to tune the standing rigging. Does anyone know where I can find the tension specs for this boat? Also, are there any 272 LE owners out there? I love the boat, but it has been difficult to find any manufacturer's information for things such as this.
Rig tensioning - looking for specs -
- Thread starter Pat Hillard
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Tuning the rig:
According to the owner's manual and Rudy Nickerson, tension the rigging to achieve a straight stick with approximately 4 to 6 inches of rake. By tensioning your backstay you can eliminate some (but not all) of the sag in the furler. To adjust the rake, hang a weight from the headboard shackle on the main halyard and let it hang to the cabin top. There should be 4 to 6 inches from the headboard shackle to the mast step. If there isn't, tension the turnbuckles on the backstay (equally) until you achieve this. For the shrouds, starting with no tension, tighten equally until the mast is straight. To check this, lie on your back and sight directly up the mast to ensure there is no side-to-side bow. After you have made it straight simply tighten the turnbuckles 3 to 5 turns. I would not recommend using a tensioning gauge (Loos or other) as the tensions prescribed by them are far too tight and will result in chainplate failure which this boat is notorious. Cheers, Bob
According to the owner's manual and Rudy Nickerson, tension the rigging to achieve a straight stick with approximately 4 to 6 inches of rake. By tensioning your backstay you can eliminate some (but not all) of the sag in the furler. To adjust the rake, hang a weight from the headboard shackle on the main halyard and let it hang to the cabin top. There should be 4 to 6 inches from the headboard shackle to the mast step. If there isn't, tension the turnbuckles on the backstay (equally) until you achieve this. For the shrouds, starting with no tension, tighten equally until the mast is straight. To check this, lie on your back and sight directly up the mast to ensure there is no side-to-side bow. After you have made it straight simply tighten the turnbuckles 3 to 5 turns. I would not recommend using a tensioning gauge (Loos or other) as the tensions prescribed by them are far too tight and will result in chainplate failure which this boat is notorious. Cheers, Bob
tensions
gen thought is that 10 to 15 percent of working strength of the cable/shroud/forestay material. i can not agree with not using a loos, if the boat can not handle 15% of the working strength, then something is wrong in the rigging to hull connections. using the loos will allow the tension to be the same all around...
gen thought is that 10 to 15 percent of working strength of the cable/shroud/forestay material. i can not agree with not using a loos, if the boat can not handle 15% of the working strength, then something is wrong in the rigging to hull connections. using the loos will allow the tension to be the same all around...
Bruce...
Generally speaking, the cause of all the chainplate failures and buckling of the bulkheads was due to owners tensioning their rigs using the figures on the Loos gauges. The actual rigger for O'day had stated repeatedly (and passed on to Rudy) that for a boat such as the 272/272LE the rig tension should not be set according to those figures. He stated that for a precision racing rig that is designed to close tolerances it is absolutely necessary. However, O'day intentionally omitted rig tensions from the owner's manuals because it just wasn't that critical. This was underscored when many of the boats began having chainplate/bulkhead issues and the cause was traced to overtensioning the rig. The issue is not whether the rig can take the tension, it's whether the structure can. In the case of this particular boat, it can't. As a matter of fact, the common fix for this by extending a threaded rod from the chainplate to the pan is also frowned upon. You have now just transferred all the stress from the bulkhead to an area that was not designed for it. The acceptable method is to fabricate larger backing plates for the chainplates to spread the load over a wider area of the bulkhead. I did this with my 272LE and never had a problem with the rig slacking off. I spoke at length with Rudy, the rigger, and Hunt Associates with regard to this issue and the answer was exactly as stated. This was not considered a design deficiency, rather, it was considered a problem attributed to owners not following the procedure set down in the manual. Now, that's not to say that if AFTER you follow the steps you choose to use a Loos gauge to ensure even tension and make minor adjustment, I'd go along with that. But, the problem is that those who are new to tuning their rig will no doubt us the tension specs as listed on the Loos gauge and end up over-tensioning. Cheers, Bob
Generally speaking, the cause of all the chainplate failures and buckling of the bulkheads was due to owners tensioning their rigs using the figures on the Loos gauges. The actual rigger for O'day had stated repeatedly (and passed on to Rudy) that for a boat such as the 272/272LE the rig tension should not be set according to those figures. He stated that for a precision racing rig that is designed to close tolerances it is absolutely necessary. However, O'day intentionally omitted rig tensions from the owner's manuals because it just wasn't that critical. This was underscored when many of the boats began having chainplate/bulkhead issues and the cause was traced to overtensioning the rig. The issue is not whether the rig can take the tension, it's whether the structure can. In the case of this particular boat, it can't. As a matter of fact, the common fix for this by extending a threaded rod from the chainplate to the pan is also frowned upon. You have now just transferred all the stress from the bulkhead to an area that was not designed for it. The acceptable method is to fabricate larger backing plates for the chainplates to spread the load over a wider area of the bulkhead. I did this with my 272LE and never had a problem with the rig slacking off. I spoke at length with Rudy, the rigger, and Hunt Associates with regard to this issue and the answer was exactly as stated. This was not considered a design deficiency, rather, it was considered a problem attributed to owners not following the procedure set down in the manual. Now, that's not to say that if AFTER you follow the steps you choose to use a Loos gauge to ensure even tension and make minor adjustment, I'd go along with that. But, the problem is that those who are new to tuning their rig will no doubt us the tension specs as listed on the Loos gauge and end up over-tensioning. Cheers, Bob
Rig Tension ala O'Day
A great discussion. I've had a 272 LE since 1986...The very first year the starboard bulk-head buckled very slightly as described above. I think it happened the very first time the boat was sailed after commissioning. It does not take a high IQ to look at what they call the "knees" and realize some corners were cut, both in the design and in the execution of the boat building by O'Day. The knees should have been much more substantial, as the bulkhead should have been. I've not fixed this problem but I watch the bulkhead closly after every sail in high winds. Here on the plains, the wind can be very strong and gusty but so far, the situation has not gotten worse and the pitiful little plywood bulkhead shows no sign of rotting. I've bought much longer chainplates (approx. 18 inches in length) & plan to extend the chainplate inside the hanging locker when I become more concerned. I have bought the 5 inch bolts & nuts to compelte the job. I will double up the chainplates (1) on each side of the bulkhead. The port bulkhead shows no signs of deflection. The whole problem was written about many years ago by a rep. of C.Raymond Hunt who stated they knew there would be a problem when they designed the boat but O'Day was building the boats very cheaply and didn't want to correct the problem even though the solution was not expensive. Living in Wichita where we build airplanes that must fly safely, it strikes me as sort of sad that boat builders are not held to some sort of standard....Of course, ultimately they are and it's easy to see who has survived and who has not. Aside from the above, we have loved our boat...she does well what we ask her to do...we just keep our eye on her and maintain her as well as possible. She still looks new, and is a pleasure to sail. When the wind picks up..just reef.....she loves to sail reefed. Pat
A great discussion. I've had a 272 LE since 1986...The very first year the starboard bulk-head buckled very slightly as described above. I think it happened the very first time the boat was sailed after commissioning. It does not take a high IQ to look at what they call the "knees" and realize some corners were cut, both in the design and in the execution of the boat building by O'Day. The knees should have been much more substantial, as the bulkhead should have been. I've not fixed this problem but I watch the bulkhead closly after every sail in high winds. Here on the plains, the wind can be very strong and gusty but so far, the situation has not gotten worse and the pitiful little plywood bulkhead shows no sign of rotting. I've bought much longer chainplates (approx. 18 inches in length) & plan to extend the chainplate inside the hanging locker when I become more concerned. I have bought the 5 inch bolts & nuts to compelte the job. I will double up the chainplates (1) on each side of the bulkhead. The port bulkhead shows no signs of deflection. The whole problem was written about many years ago by a rep. of C.Raymond Hunt who stated they knew there would be a problem when they designed the boat but O'Day was building the boats very cheaply and didn't want to correct the problem even though the solution was not expensive. Living in Wichita where we build airplanes that must fly safely, it strikes me as sort of sad that boat builders are not held to some sort of standard....Of course, ultimately they are and it's easy to see who has survived and who has not. Aside from the above, we have loved our boat...she does well what we ask her to do...we just keep our eye on her and maintain her as well as possible. She still looks new, and is a pleasure to sail. When the wind picks up..just reef.....she loves to sail reefed. Pat
all O'Day boats?
is this weakness limited to the 272? I was thinking of getting a 25' or 26' cb and was unaware ot this problem. cornelb@doacs.state.fl.us
is this weakness limited to the 272? I was thinking of getting a 25' or 26' cb and was unaware ot this problem. cornelb@doacs.state.fl.us
Thanks!
Thanks for all the great info. After reading these, I wonder if the furling attachment is too weak to add a back stay adjuster?
Thanks for all the great info. After reading these, I wonder if the furling attachment is too weak to add a back stay adjuster?
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