Rigging tension

[Rob Hays]

Saturday while sailing my '91 Hunter 18.5 in the most consistant breezes since we bought her a couple of months ago, I noticed the standing rigging on the leeward side of the mast was slack. The winds were probably 10mph or so. I've checked the rigging before and/or after each sail so far by touch, kind of like checking a fan belt. If it "felt" loose, I tightened the turnbuckles a bit. I know that there are tensioning gauges and such available, but don't have one.Is a bit of slack like this normal? Does it indicate a problem? Small lake sailing doesn't involve the stresses of ocean sailing, but I don't want to create or worsen a problem by ignoring it.Thanks!Rob

 

[Ed]

No slack.

According to all I've read and seen, the lee shrouds should have NO slack even when sailing on a broad reach in 20 knot winds.I suggest you borrow or buy a tension gauge and tune your standing rigging. I bought mine on Sailnet for less than $40, and shipping was free.~ Happy sails to you ~ _/) ~

 

[Miles Meyer]

Terry, the slack in your rig is normal. Some prefer a tight rig as this will allow closer sailing into the wind. Some like a sloppy rig, sometimes it's faster(sounds like yours) I try to get about in the middle, enough tension, that the leeward rigging will just be slack, but not sloppy. Tighten a little and go sailing!!