Stay tension guidelines

[Jeff]

Can anyone give me general guidelines for how tight the stays on a Hunter 18.5 should be? Or perhaps does anyone know how I might obtain a copy of the owner's manual (presuming one was supplied with the boat) for said 1989 Hunter? We purchased the boat used and I don't really have a good feel for how much tension the stays should be under. Right now the lower stay on the port side is loose and hanging and the starboard one isn't much better. The uppers are so tight that I can barely get the forstay attached while pushing hard on the base of the mast and the forstay turnbuckle fully lengthened, so I'm thinking some adjustments are in order...Thanks!

 

[Wanderer138]

Here's one possible approach

Rig tuning is a frequently discussed topic but I think it's actually pretty simple as long as you can get the boat out on the water. I included a link below to part of a recent discussion on the subject.If you search the forum archives under "rig tuning" you'll find a LOT more information. Don't worry about the fact that your boat isn't specifically mentioned. One of the best things about sailing is that most of the techniques and procedures can be applied to just about any boat regardless of size. Good luck and happy sailing.PeterH23 "Raven"

 

[Ken Prichard]

Stay and shroud tension

JeffI have some step by step instructions for stepping the mast and tuning the rigging for this boat. I got them from a reply to just about the same question I had asked on this site about 6 months ago. Check the archives or email me your address and I'll mail them to you. My email is kiprichard@cbe.ab.ca

 

[Paul Finch]

Owners Manual for Hunter 18.5 and others

Jeff, I had the same problem re. the lack of an owners manual for the 18.5 that I purchased used. I looked up Hunter on the internet and contacted them. They sent me a photocopy for $15.00. It does have some useful info in it especially re the lengths of the rigging etc.Hope this helps.Paul

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Guys, give this fellow my tele number so I

Email my number but do not post it on the forum. Thanks. I will help him with this if he wishes to call.