Shroud Tension Procedure

[NeverTooRuff]

Greetings,
I will be adjusting the shroud tension for the first time in my life. I have a '94 Hunter 26 w/forestay and upper/lower shrouds. I have Hunter's standing rigging chart but was wondering if anybody had a copy of "Tensioning for Dummies".
Cheers!
Miles

 

[Mike in Cape Cod]

Do you have a "Loos" gauge to use to determine the tension adjustments you are going to make ? The directions should have a wire diameter chart with a recommended tension amount.

 

[Charles Erwin]

Try this - no guages necessary. www.riggingandsails.com/pdf/selden-tuning.pdf

Charles

 

[NeverTooRuff]

Thanks for the reply. I am in line to borrow a guage from another sailor at my marina...not sure of the brand.

Charles - the "Tuning Procedures" pdf is great! Will share with the marina.

My main question regards "leveling" the boat prior to tuning the shrouds. I've read/heard that the boat must be level and others have said that the tension on the wires is all that is important, and with the rake, of course. Any thoughts on this?
Cheers,
Miles
Kingston, ON

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Do not be concerned with the boat being level. You will need to make the top of the mast be in the center and this can be determined by use of the main halyard to each side or use of a long tape measure which can be adjusted by the upper shroud turnbuckles.

a good measurment of shroud tension will be pulling the upper shrouds inward with one finger 1-2 inches. Generally the lower shrouds will be tighter. Hand tuned over 1,000 times the 26 and 260.

dave condon

 

[Benny17441]

Just make sure the mast is straight. I find it helpful to tension in gradual stages on oposing shrouds.