Stainless rod that connects deck fitting to mast step

[capta]

There is a stainless rod that connects deck fitting to mast step on our boat. Is this a static rod, or should it be adjusted every now and then, possibly when the rig is tightened? Is there a proper name for this rod?

 

[NYSail]

I call it a deck stiffener..... haven't really touched it

 

[whatfiero]

You would only mess with if you were rebedding deck or found it leaking or loose on deck

 

[FastOlson]

IIRC, NA Bob Perry calls it a "tie rod". This goes from cabin top to either a strong point on the cabin sole or to the spar itself inside the cabin. This is needed on keel-stepped spars to counteract the up-force from the halyards going thru sheaves at the base of the spar to the housetop winches / clutches.
Our boat has a shorter piece of rigging wire and a turn buckle going down a couple of feet to the spar on the inside of our cabin. Ours goes to an SS tang inserted thru the house top just behind the mast penetration where the SS base fitting is fastened to the house top for all the halyard sheaves.
Also, some boats have the fitting that those sheaves are attached to supported by a pin thru the spar itself, which accomplishes the same mission.

 

[capta]

IIRC, NA Bob Perry calls it a "tie rod". This goes from cabin top to either a strong point on the cabin sole or to the spar itself inside the cabin. This is needed on keel-stepped spars to counteract the up-force from the halyards going thru sheaves at the base of the spar to the housetop winches / clutches.

This boat was built long before winches around the mast on deck became the fashion. As a matter of fact with a roller furling main, the winches on the mast hardly ever get use.

 

[Xanthus]

The tie rod in tension counteracts the forces trying to raise the deck and narrow the beam while sailing. Take off the windward shrouds and you won't need it.

 

[capta]

The tie rod in tension counteracts the forces trying to raise the deck and narrow the beam while sailing. Take off the windward shrouds and you won't need it.

Does it need the occasional tweak or is it a static feature?

 

[FastOlson]

Does it need the occasional tweak or is it a static feature?

I would view it as static. Once you set it up snug, the cabin top is not going to lift up....

 

[All U Get]

I was told it held tension on the cabin top to keep pressure on the sides from lifting it. Looking at it now the bulkhead doesn't continue from side to side. Loosen yours up and tell me what happens. I'll bet the fancy woodwork would crack.

All U Get
PS I just recently heard there were only 30 Pearson 530's built. Then they made one more, we have 31.

 

[sailingseadragon]

Pearson tuning direction for tuning the tie rod
Garner

 

[capta]

I was told it held tension on the cabin top to keep pressure on the sides from lifting it. Looking at it now the bulkhead doesn't continue from side to side. Loosen yours up and tell me what happens. I'll bet the fancy woodwork would crack.

All U Get
PS I just recently heard there were only 30 Pearson 530's built. Then they made one more, we have 31.

Actually, I was thinking perhaps, with all the tightening on the rig, that I should tighten the rod slightly. We'll see if someone comes back with a definitive answer.
As for 530's, we've met 7. Interestingly, at number 22 our build date is 1981 but we've met boats with a lower number yet built later, so I'm not too sure how they numbered them.
There's rarely a day of sailing goes by when I don't praise Mr. Shaw for his amazing design. This boat never fails to delight us, day after day.