Shroud Lines

[John Gladstone]

I've had some trouble with the shroud lines. When I'm sailing at a close reach and the sail is full, the shroud on the leeward side seems awful loose. It doesn't have any tension to it. Is this normal or are my shroud lines too loose? How can I make sure they are tight enough? Can they be too tight? Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Mark]

The leeward shroud line will always be slack under sail, even when all shrouds are properly adjusted. The shroud lines should not be slack when the mast is stepped. I keep my shroud lines just snug enough so that I can still step the mast by myself and secure the fore stay by pulling it down with some effort. We O'Day owners are fortunate in that our shroud lines have turnbuckels that can be infinitely adjusted by virtue of the threaded bolts. Many other popular sailboats are fitted with plates that are adjusted by moving a pin to the next hole. This results in shrouds that are many times too loose or too tight.

 

[R. Gladstone]

shroads a loose

John, I am a recent purchaser of a 1971 Daysailer. The previoius owner took really good care of the boat, but I noticed early on that the shrouds on my boat were also very loose. The shrouds on the boat do not have turnbuckles and there is no way to tighten them. I have left them alone since it hasnt affected sailing even in a brisk wind. Replacement shroads are available and I assume they are the exact length. By the way, I couldn't resist writing another Day Sailer owner with such a great last name. Sincerly, Richard Gladstone

 

[John]

Thanks,Mark

MarkThanks for the response. I recently bought the boat and I was real worried when I saw the loose shrouds. Thanks again.John

 

[Jim Cook]

Justin, etc... Shroud Tension Specs Anywhere?

When I broke a lower shroud and had it replaced, I was concerned about the tensioning. A friend loaned me his :Loos tool" and suggested tightening them to somewhere in the middle of the range for my particular size of wire. It seemed reasonable, so I did and it seems to have worked OK since (but I have only been out about 3-4 times since).Is there anywhere that I can get the suggested tensions for my boat?Thanks, Jim Cook"Dream Chaser"

 

[Justin - O'day Owners' Web]

Rigging Tensions

Jim -I have not seen Loos numbers published for the 27, though the doesn't mean they're not out there. I would snug all the wires then go sailing and tune the boat from there. You want just enough tension to keep the mast in column, straight, when hard on the wind. Headstay should be tight enough not to sag more the a couple of inches when beating, and backstay should balance. I use my Loos gauge to make sure everything matches, but I don't set my rig to any predetermined number.Justin - O'day Owners' Web