Standing rigging on a older 27

[scott may]

Im no expert on standing rigging, so could someone tell me if mine is normal?The upper port and starboard stays on my boat are not in line with the mast.The chainplates exit the deck about even with the leading edge of the mast and the stays travel up to spreaders which are just slightly swept back. From there up to the mast top. In other words, the stay travels from mast leading edge to trailing edge at spreader height and then to mast center at the top. This seems to me to be wrong, wouldn't it put a forward pull on the spreaders? Can someone please set me straight? Is this the way its supposed to be?

 

[LaDonna Bubak - Planet Catalina]

Curious

That IS curious. What year? I have a 73 & the spreaders certainly aren't swept back. Hmmmm? Clues anyone?LaDonna

 

[Roger Fleming]

How old is "older"

My 1985 27' upper shrouds are in line from the top of the mast to the chainplates. Do you see any indication that the chainplates were moved in the fiberglass or gelcoat?Does the mast stand vertical when the boat is at the dock without sails?(use a plumb line)Has someone installed an adjustable backstay to compensate for an otherwise forward pulling rig? Sorry, I think I have more questions than answers. Just looking for clues.

 

[scott may]

Its a 74

its a 1974, the chainplates are in factory position, it has a non-adjustable backstay,i shouldn't have put swept...sorry, brain fart. It just doesn't look right from the side tho.

 

[scott may]

P.S....

will take a photo this weekend and post it on Photo forum.

 

[Roger Fleming]

Its not supposed to be

Others here may be more knowledgeable than I, but here is what I would do. Slacken the fore and aft shrouds on both sides. (I'm suspicious that either your aft shrouds are too tight or your mast has sustained an impact at some point in time. Fasten a weight to a halyard to use as a plumb line. Adjust the fore and aft stays to achieve a veriticle mast. Then the P. and S. upper shrouds to center the mast amidships.The tension on these should be so that you can deflect the wire 1 inch with 50 lbs. of preasure. (its just a rule of thumb) No pun intended. Then, just firm up the fore and aft shrouds on both sides. The fore and aft shrouds should not deflect the mast in any way. You could buy Loos gagues. See the "Tension" article below. If this does not straighten out the problem see a rigging professional. I would not stress your rig until you get this figured out you may end up losing the whole thing under sail.