Rigging

[Kevin]

Help!!I have a loos guage but no instructions. I know it's simple but apparently I am simpler. Please explain technique. Thanks in advance. K

 

[Ray Bowles]

Kevin, Knowing what model boat and what size

gauge you have will make helping you much easier. If you can supply these answers real soon, then tomorrow night I'll respond with the info you need. I also need to get my "Loos" in my hand to help you as my memory has blown away with the wind in the past few years.See you tomorrow unless someone else kindly jumps in and helps us both.Until tomorrow...RayS/V Speedy

 

[Jim Maroldo]

Reading the Loos gauge...

...is easier than it looks. Insert the wire shroud into the heavy metal groove at the bottom, with your index finger hooked through the loop of string at the top. pull the string to you until the end of the 'finger' lines up with the last (heavy?) line on the scale. Read the number off the scale that lines up with your wire shroud at that point, and compare that number with the line diameter on the chart, and you've got your tension! I've noticed that it reads a bit differently if the shroud rubs along the side of the gauge, so I cock it a bit so the line doesn't quite touch. Remember to snug up both sides evenly, or else your mast will be cocked off to one side. Enjoy!Jim MaroldoOcean Gate, NJ

 

[Kevin]

Jim and Ray

Jim and Ray:Thanks so much for your help. I'll get the gauge out and see if I'm smart enough to take the instruction. Ray, I have a Mac 26x and have read Bruce Whitmore's rigging thesis. I believe the side stays are 5/32" and the fore and back stays are 1/8". Through extrapolation from Bruce's info I calculate 495# on the uppers and 330# on the lowers. This coincides with the breaking strength provided in the West Marine catalog. This assumes the 15% upper and 10% lower is correct. I still don't know what the tension on the fore and back stay should be...I assume the back stay to be only a matter of bend. Let me know if you have any ideas. Thanks, again for the help.K

 

[Ray Bowles]

Kevin, A 26X is a whole different animal than I'v

been around. I would think the tension values are still dictated by the wire size. You must remember that a certain amount of mast rake is required for proper weather helm. I have no idea about mast rake (or for that fact, mast bend) on a Mac 26X. Proper rig tension greatly improves performance.Ray

 

[Kevin]

Thanks, Ray

Thanks for the insight. I have moved some weight around in the boat (much more balanced---especially with a 50 iron genny on the transom)and effectively changed the rake to some degree in that manner. I have also reduced the rake with the rigging. Macs come with ALOT of rake (probably targeted at protecting Roger's clientele) and the boat sails much better with less. I still have reasonable weatherhelm...Thanks again, K