I recently mounted mast and need idea of tension for the fore and aft stays. I've got the mast straight 90 to deck already. Just stays are still sloppy. Mast has mid ship uppers and lower set shrouds for and aft.
Tuning stays
- Thread starter rschwabach
- Start date
This Selden guide - https://support.seldenmast.com/files/595-540-E.pdf has a lot of good instructions for the process, including how to judge the tension without a Loos gauge.
The length of the forestay has a bit to do with weather helm. So you find out what that should be. At the very least it should lean aft not forward. I guess you are using existing rigging so maybe it's marked. If not, you can often see the discoloring on the turnbuckle or stud. If you are making new rigging, you can measure the old and use that number. Set the tension with the backstay. Many boats have adjustable backstays so there is a range not necessarily a firm number.
Most boats will have a rake specification for the mast as a starting point, such as 6 inches, you should search for that.
I’ve tensioned mine several times using the stretch/measuring technique. Do your self a favor and spend the money on a Loos gauge. It allows you to get consistent tensions then you can fine tune by loading it with a stiff breeze. It also allows you to relax the pairs of rigging for maintenance then tension it back to where it was. Money well spent.