Tuning a Cal 20

[Dick Westwood]

I've installed new standing rigging (from Steve Seals) on my Cal 20, and am now tuning it.Right now, I'm trying to get the shrouds and lowers (aft only - dispensed with forward lowers) tuned. There's a lot of different advice out there, and no two sources seem to agree!The old Ullman Cal 20 tuning guide says: "at a point along one of the upper shrouds, five feet above the chainplates, grab the shroud with your hand. Measure from the mast to the closest you can deflect the shroud and then measure the farthest you can deflect the shroud. The difference should be 14 inches for an all-purpose setting."Tried this. The shrouds are floppy, at least at the dock. Is this ok? Obviously, it's the opposite of those who say hand tight plus two turns.Also: any tips on tuning the lowers?

 

[Jim]

tuning your rig

Get a copy of "Tuning your Rig" By Rigger Brion Toss. Western Media Products. WWW.Media-products.com. This DVD explains and gives you the insight to tuning the standing shourds. The rigging you have on a smaller boat will be a snap once you understand what your looking for by being tuned. It was worth the twenty some dollars. I got my copy on Ebay. He also has a DVD "Inspecting Your Rig". I got that one too. Its also good.

 

[Dick Westwood]

Thanks, Jim

I purchased the Brion Toss video. Watched it last night. It's really helpful. And, contrary to my expectations, really fascinating. Thanks for the tip.A couple more viewings, to make sure I have the details right, and I bet I'll get the tuning just where I want it.