Standing Rigging

  • Thread starter Torrence Jenkins
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Torrence Jenkins

Hmmm, I think I need to do something with my standing rigging. I was out this weekend, and it got a little breezy, say 12-15. Which was beautiful. I looked at my rigging, and the lower lee standing rigging was just flopping all around. I tacked and sure enough the other side was in the same conditiion. Not as bad, but I could see more slack than I've ever seen before. The upper shrouds appear fine, with no slack on the lee side. So the question is, Anyone Know The Tension Specs for a 26.5. Also what do you use to measure the tension. Or should I just go sailing, and crank on the lee turnbuckles until theres no slack. Any help would be appreciated. Cheers TJ
 
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Sean

slack

Your rigging has probably stretched over the years. Prior to sailing adjust the lower shrouds evenly taking a half turn on each until you eliminate some of the sag. The object is not to turn them into piano strings. Then sail in 13-15 knots of wind. If still saging adjust to remove slack only do not crank down on them. Tack and repeat the procedure. As far as I know hunter doesn't publish specific tension requirements. Its more a trial and error science.
 
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Michael Bell

See "Ask the Hunter Rep" forum

We've been discussing that issue lately. You definitely don’t want them loose.
 
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Bob E.

Shroud tension

There has been a lot of discussion about the "correct" tension for the standing rigging on B&G fractional rigs lately. The Hunter rep seems reluctant to give any numbers, probably because the "best" settings vary from boat to boat, with differing sailing conditions, etc. For what its worth, I've played about with this on my 1989 Hunter 30G. This has a fractional rig with swept back double spreaders, plus an actual split backstay. After tuning the shrouds by sailing close hauled, as described in many posts, I've measured the shroud tension with a Loos gauge. The upper shrouds are 1/4" 1x19 wire. My tension reading is 725 lbs. The intermediates are 3/16" wire, and the tension is 288 lbs. The lowers are 1/4" wide and the tension is 580 lbs. I haven't measured the backstay tension, but by hand it feels fairly low, maybe 100 lbs or so. I don't want to increase the backstay tension since I already have at least the specified pre-bend in the mast. The forestay is inside a roller furling extrusion. These settings work on my boat, but may not be suitable for other boats, so use this info at your own risk. The Loos guage manual suggests 850 lbs for 1/4" wire and 500 lbs for 3/16" wire, but these values are based on working load considerations for the wire, not on requirements for any specific boat. Has anyone else made actual meaurements of their shroud tension? A Loos guage seems to me to be a vital piece of sailboat hardware.
 
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Torrence Jenkins

One more thing, before you go.

Thanx 4 de info. I have two plans of attack. First I will not be able to get my loos tension meter in time. So first, we go sailing. I will tighten to eliminate the slack. Second I will order a loos gauge, with cable measurer. I do have another question though. How long will standing be reliable. I mean is there a rule that says "Hey Im 4 years old replace me." Or is this also trial and error. I find myself usually sailing alone, and I've been caught in some serious wind, usually not to long lived, with all sails up. Flash just rides it out. I have had the lee rail way under the water before. So standing rigging failure would be very, very dangerous for me, in that situation. Not to mention the fact, I do not know how old the rigging is. But if I were to guess I would say original. I do not have the money to replace all my rigging, but this may be the next major over haul. I had just got out of the yards, and I'm a little broke. But I can tell how fast I'm going, and how much water is below me. hehehehe, for the first time. Cheers T
 
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