Realizing the perported mast / bulkhead situation, does anyone have an
idea as to the amount of tension needed on the stays and shrouds? Rex
idea as to the amount of tension needed on the stays and shrouds? Rex
tension
- Thread starter rex_rounds
- Start date
Hi All.
Finally! For a change here's something that I can comment on with some
authority. I worked for several years at a marina here in the states
stepping and unstepping masts and tuning the rigs with a guy who has
been doing it 30 years. I've stepped and tuned 100's of masts and
learned a lot. By far and away the most common problem (and related
problems) that I've seen with sailing rigs is too much tension.
Guys sock down their rigs WAY too tight as a matter of course.
Some good rules of thumb when tuning a rig:
1. The mast should by all means be straight. If you stand at the base
from fore, aft, starboard and port and look straight up you should see
no bending whatsoever. You can use your halyard as a guide.
Some racers will add or subtract a little backstay tension to change
the shape of the main but this is a small change and only for the
advanced who know when to put it on or take it off for the effect they
want.
2. Shrouds
After you go hand tight equally all around for for a sail (light wind
preferred) On each tack the leeward shrouds should be just tight
enough so they don't slat around.
3. As far as upper and lower shrouds uppers should be a turn or two
tighter thanb the lowers in general and remember adjusting the stays
(especially the lowers) can dramatically effect the shape of your
mast. In case of any doubt see rule #1.
Finally, as in anything, adjust to fit your circumstances. If things
don't look or feel right make a small change and re-evaluate.
For example if you often sail in heavy air perhaps a bit more tension
is in order. The mast should have some give but not violently slam
when you tack.
Whew! Long post. IF anyone out there has a different opinion please
share. This opinion is generally backed up by research I've done on
the subject but there is certainly room for others.
Cheers,
AndyT
www.andyt13.com
Finally! For a change here's something that I can comment on with some
authority. I worked for several years at a marina here in the states
stepping and unstepping masts and tuning the rigs with a guy who has
been doing it 30 years. I've stepped and tuned 100's of masts and
learned a lot. By far and away the most common problem (and related
problems) that I've seen with sailing rigs is too much tension.
Guys sock down their rigs WAY too tight as a matter of course.
Some good rules of thumb when tuning a rig:
1. The mast should by all means be straight. If you stand at the base
from fore, aft, starboard and port and look straight up you should see
no bending whatsoever. You can use your halyard as a guide.
Some racers will add or subtract a little backstay tension to change
the shape of the main but this is a small change and only for the
advanced who know when to put it on or take it off for the effect they
want.
2. Shrouds
After you go hand tight equally all around for for a sail (light wind
preferred) On each tack the leeward shrouds should be just tight
enough so they don't slat around.
3. As far as upper and lower shrouds uppers should be a turn or two
tighter thanb the lowers in general and remember adjusting the stays
(especially the lowers) can dramatically effect the shape of your
mast. In case of any doubt see rule #1.
Finally, as in anything, adjust to fit your circumstances. If things
don't look or feel right make a small change and re-evaluate.
For example if you often sail in heavy air perhaps a bit more tension
is in order. The mast should have some give but not violently slam
when you tack.
Whew! Long post. IF anyone out there has a different opinion please
share. This opinion is generally backed up by research I've done on
the subject but there is certainly room for others.
Cheers,
AndyT
www.andyt13.com
Hi Andy;
great advise! The only thing you left out is the rake of
the mast. The correct rake for your boat may depend on your
sails, prevailing wind conditions, and how much weather
helm you like (without making the rudder a brake!) All that
may take some fine-tuning until you get it right. And like
you write- check the lower shrouds when adjusting the rake.
The movement of the mast for or aft changes the tension of
the lower shrouds!
Wilhelm, V-257
great advise! The only thing you left out is the rake of
the mast. The correct rake for your boat may depend on your
sails, prevailing wind conditions, and how much weather
helm you like (without making the rudder a brake!) All that
may take some fine-tuning until you get it right. And like
you write- check the lower shrouds when adjusting the rake.
The movement of the mast for or aft changes the tension of
the lower shrouds!
Wilhelm, V-257
Hi All
My two pennysworth....
I tend to makesure the mast is exactly straight, fore and aft, and
athwartships. The rake I induce by the means of a backstay tensioner so this
can be tightened when I am closehauled or taken out when running.
Just an extra little bit.
Perhaps someone could document this thread and combine the posts into a
definitive article - No not me!
Regrads
Steve B
My two pennysworth....
I tend to makesure the mast is exactly straight, fore and aft, and
athwartships. The rake I induce by the means of a backstay tensioner so this
can be tightened when I am closehauled or taken out when running.
Just an extra little bit.
Perhaps someone could document this thread and combine the posts into a
definitive article - No not me!
Regrads
Steve B
hello steve,
What paint do recommend i use on my vega deck? is it safe to use an ordinary
paint stripper for grp decks?
thanks steve,
patrick v1010
What paint do recommend i use on my vega deck? is it safe to use an ordinary
paint stripper for grp decks?
thanks steve,
patrick v1010