Standing rigging

[William Niessen]

I hate to even mention this but in less than a month I will be hauling out and for the first time I will be using jack stands instead of a cradle. I am very interested in learning what should be done with the standing rigging at that time. Should it be left as-is or detuned somwhat to allow for the difference in the way the weight is distrubuted on the hard. I would think the turnbuckles should be backed off a couple of turns but I have heard differing opinions and would like to know what "Hunter" owners accept as correct. Any comment?

 

[Terry]

Hi William, hundreds of sail boats are put...

on the hard each year for storage or repair in the NW and most if not all leave their standing rigging alone.Terry

 

[David Foster]

Leave as is

Loosening the tension would allow the mast and rig to move more, increasing wear on the rig.DavidLady Lillie

 

[Steve S.]

Leave on or bent...

I have to pull my mast for storage, but from what I understand, it is B&R recommendation to keep the upper shrouds and all spreaders on to keep the "pre-bend" in place over the winter. I store that mast on top of the boat with a cover over the entire thing. It keep the cover up off the boat so I can do work on the deck over the winter.Steve

 

[fred miller]

ON THE HARD RIGGING ADJUSTMENT

I store my 35.5 on the hard [on jack stands] from Nov 1 to April. My boat yard which specializes in sailboats leaves the rigging alone BUT . .removes the boom which is stored lashed to the deck. The thinking is it less weight and wind resistance on the mast.Fred Miller

 

[Alan]

Adjustment!!

The cold weather will automatically loosen the rigging for you. The mast and rigging will both shrink as the temps drop, but the mast will shrink to a greater degree because it is aluminum (coefficient of expansion), thereby lowering the tension in the rig for the winter. In the spring it will retention and you have nothing to do but inspect.

 

[William Niessen]

Best explanation yet

Alan, this is the best explanation I've heard, it works for me. The difference in expansion will ensure that the rigging is de-tuned a little because the mast will definitely shrink more than the stainless rigging. I had heard differing opinions but never before had to come to a conclusion because my mast always came down anyway. This year I'm moving to where they have a travel lift and it can stay up but I'm not touching the rigging.