Rig Tuning

[M. C. Fralen]

Getting ready for the season in the '88 33.5 I bought last year. When I purchased the boat I noticed the backstays were loose. I've read all the forum literature on rigging. My shrouds seem the right tension and I have about 8" of aft rake in the mast. The foil for the roller furling also seems a bit loose. My thought is to tighten the forestay and backstay to maintain the proper rake and not slacken the shrouds. My question is where, on the original in-deck roller furling, is the turnbuckle and how do you get to it? My previous sailboat had the traditional wire forestay. I would also appreciate any advice on my approach to this. I'm still considering having the boat professionally tuned. Thanks

 

[David Priestly]

33.5 Fractional Rig

MC, On the '88H33.5, the turnbuckle for the forestay is located beneath the recessed roller furler drum. You can access it by way of the anchor locker. There is a snap shackle that attaches the bottom of the furler drum to the attachment point of the forestay. Disconnect the snap shackle. Also, there is a small set screw on top of the furler shaft drive unit that holds two black anodized aluminum sleeves called tack sockets in place. This sleeve is at the intersection of the drive unit shaft and the first luff feed section. After removing the set screw / allen screw, the sleeves can be pried out of the drive shaft. You can then raise the entire furler drum assembly in an upward direction along the forestay to allow access to the turnbuckle. While you have the furler assembly raised up out of the anchor locker recess, irrigate the bearings thorougly with water and lubricate it with a spray lubricant prior to lowering the drum back into its normal position. I know this sounds confusing; however, it only takes 5-10 minutes. If you have the owner's manual for the furler, the schematics will help. I can't be of much help with tuning. Recommend looking in the archives before you tighten the fore/ aft stays too much.

 

[M. C. Fralen]

Thanks

Dave, Thanks for the info. Mike

 

[Ken Tempelmeyer]

H 33.5 Rig Tuning

I purchased a 33.5 last year and have also been wondering about how the rig should be tuned since I would like to race the boat. I have sought advise, but haven't really received any help nor is there a "professional tuner" near by. If you learn anything about the rig, I would much appreciate your sharing it with me. I would be interested in the conventional wisdom on the tension in the sidestays (i.e. Roos gage readings) and the mast rake. Thanks. Ken T.