Shroud tensioning

[Brian]

I have a new (2003) 260. The mast, as delivered by the dealer, is bent to port. The bend appears to be associated with the tension of the upper shrouds, specifically the section of the uppers that goes from the spreaders to the attachment point high on the mast. I currently keep the boat in a slip with the mast up. Question is: Is the entire length of the shroud tensioned from the turnbuckles at the deck, or is the upper section of the shroud (spreaders to high on mast) tensioned from a point on the spreaders? Looking up at the spreaders, it appears that the upper section of the upper shrouds may be tensioned from the spreaders.As always, your input is appreciated.Brian.

 

[Wanderer138]

Tension from deck

The turnbuckles for the upper shrouds terminate at the chainplates on deck. Correcting the side bend should be a simple matter of loosening the short side and tensioning the long side. If you add the same number of turns on the long side that you took out of the short side the tension in the shrouds should remain about the same. You can also check side-to-side straightness of the mast as you go by raising a long fiberglass measuring tape to the masthead on the main halyard and measuring to the chainplates on both sides.Before you start, check to make sure that the problem IS the turnbuckle. Although extremely unlikely, you may have a shroud that was too cut too short, in which case loosening the turnbuckle may not solve the problem. In that case you should contact the factory or a rigger. Good luck.PeterH23 "Raven"

 

[Carl]

Brian, check the archives Ray Bowles did a very detailed write up on this subject. Carl s/v Relentless

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Brain

The advice by rAy is good but there is only one thing to mention, you have the stabilizer bars that are standard on the 260 but not found on the older 26.You need to make sure the mast is longitudal to the boat. Then adjust, you need to raise the mast first and check for any bowing. If there is some, then adust. Then you can start adjusting or tuning the 260. I know the procedure too well as I probably do it more than anyone else. If you have any other questions, post to the forum and I will get back to you.Crazy Dave Condon

 

[Brian]

Crazy Dave

The mast is a mess: the mast plate was not installed square to the boat. This is evidenced when raising the mast - you must pick up the 'top' end of the mast and move it more than a foot toward the starbord stern of the boat just to get the pin through the base of the mast. So, when you raise the mast it is twisted by the shrouds. Add to that some bend, seemingly imparted by the tension of the upper portion of the upper shrouds, and I start to get very confused about how to proceed. Hunter is aware of the problem with the base plate. My intent is to limp through the last weeks of our sailing season here (hopefully not endangering life, health or further property) and get the base plate reinstalled during the off-season. I do not want to list the other problems I have had at this time. I am trying to avoid vociforous internet raging about Hunter and my dealer. I have had the boat for a month - many things are not right. Can you email me contact information for you:brrader@yahoo.comThanks.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Brian

I wondered about the base plate. It has to be corrected first before readjusting the tune of the mast.I will be emailing you with a phone number to call me.Crazy DAve Condon