slack in leeward shrouds

[bruce]

Was just reading an article in this forum which suggests that the leeward shrouds should not be at all slack in heavy air. Is that true?

 

[Ray Bowles]

Bruce, That is very true and mast tension is what

I think is the most important safety factor on a deck stepped, water ballasted sailboat. There has been a huge volumn of traffic this spring on mast tension. I started some of it and feel very strongly that all owners and sailors of Hunter WB boats should do this. It's easy, costs $50 and will flat out make your boat haul the mail.Check the archives for smaller boats under mast tension until you find the written up procedure. Read it and then do it. It is a good learning experence. Enough bull!  I'm leaving to sail the sea's for the next 10 years and there are many on this site that can help.Please study the info as loose leeward shrounds are an accident waiting to happen. The 23.5 and H26 are very, very similar.RayS/V Speedy

 

[Wanderer138]

Tighten up now

I agree totally with Ray. The last thing you want is to have the mast moving around. If you think the leeeward shrouds are slack now, wait for a good hard gust. Treat yourself to a Loos gauge and tune your rig. Your boat will sail a lot better too.PeterH23 "Raven"

 

[Alan Long]

I agree

I tuned the mast on my 94 23.5 this winter when she resided on her trailer. I am stunned by the difference in the way she sails. The boat is faster and much easier to handle. My loose shrouds had allowed the mast to move around to the point that the screws fastening the mast step pulled from their aluminum, mounting plate. I drilled out to the next larger size, tapped and replaced the screws. Every water ballasted trailerable boat should come with a Loos gauge..the best 50 bucks you will ever spend.Alan Long

 

[bruce]

compelling arguements

Thanks gentlemen. Will purchase Loos Gauge immediately and make the adjustments to my shrouds.

 

[J Refkin]

Me Too

I also noticed improved perfomance when I tightened the shrouds.Joe