shroud tensionning

Aug 17, 2013
1,023
Pearson P30 202 Ottawa/Gatineau
hey everyone, quick question, when raising/lowering the mast do you loosen/tighten the shrouds or you just let them be?, at the moment I've always just let them be, I just want to be sure I dont damage my chainplates
thanks in advance
Fred
 

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
23,170
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Fred. When I had a trailer boat I set the shrouds to the correct length/tension. My M15 sailed best with low tensioned standing rigging. So I set up with the port and starboard shrouds per set and tightened the foreshroud to a mark on the turnbuckle. Consistent. Easy.
 
Feb 5, 2009
255
Gloucester 20 Kanawha River, Winfield, WV
I leave mine be, but I'd be interested in hearing if anybody has any objections.
 
Nov 9, 2008
1,338
Pearson-O'Day 290 Portland Maine
I tightened my shtouds in 2014 when I installed them. Stepped the mast 40 times since then. Everthing still stays in place ans she sails well.
 
Aug 15, 2012
301
Precision 21 Newburyport MA
I don't touch my side stays when I am raising and lowering the mast. The only thing I loosen is the back stay to make it easier to pin the head stay. Once its up I tighten the back stay. Some use a Johnson lever for this.
 

Fred

.
Sep 27, 2008
517
Catalina 28 mkii 745 Ottawa, Ontario, CA
On my H26 I leave them be. I must say reattaching the forestry after raising the mast is one of the most difficult steps since the rig is so tight. I really have to haul down on the mast raising line to get the pin in. I does make me nervous about snapping my job halyard with so much tension so I usually double up using the main halyard as a back up.