Tuning the 260?

[Les Hall]

Is there more information available about tuning the 260 over and above what the manual has to say? I don't feel the manual fully explains the procedures. Also, have noticed that the "forestay" section of the roller furling bends under sail. The side shrouds are set at 10 lbs each according to a Hobie Cat racer and his gauge. Thanks in advance for any info. (Have had our new 2000 H260 for only a few weeks and have a lot to learn!)

 

[Michael Bell]

Here you go

There has been a fair amount of discussion on this the past couple of months – including advice from (the former) Jim Bohart. Check the archives for “tuning” or “tension”.I took the liberty to find the response from Mr. Bohart and appended it below. It was in response to an H26.begin with all the shrouds tensioned just a bit and adjust the headstay first measuring the rake so that the halyard when dropped to the deck lands about 8 inches behind the mast step. Measure then with the halyard port and starboard to two identical deck locations to check if the mast is centered port and sturb if not adjust it till it is by loosening and tightening the shrouds on the appropriate side.. Counting the turns on the turnbuckle. Now tighten the uppers until you bend the mast about 8-12 inches in the middle turn each turnbuckle the same number of turns.. Now pull some of the bend out by tightening the intermediates so that you have about 4-6inches of bend in the center of the spar count each turn and adjust each side the same. (do these adjustments in small increments like 2 turns per side then repeat as necessary) (after some experience you'll make adjustments and feel the tension that 1/2 to 1 turn induces. (If you turn the buckle 1 turn on port you're going to double the tension when you've to turn the starboard one to match.) Sight up the mast from behind and the track in the center should run straight and have no bend from side to side, you should be able to see that the mast has a gentle even curve back. If it doesn't then you have to adjust the bend out by applying turns to the side away from where it bends. Now take the halyard and measure side to side to two identical port and strd locations to determine that the mast is still sitting straight up and down in the center measured port to starboard. If it's not adjust accordingly.Now take the boat out and ail it on port and starboard tacks sighting up the mast to make sure it stays in column left and right and does not bend. If the shrouds on the leeward side become loose and move around then you need to adjust the shrouds again by tightening them both equally. It's an art and it's hard to teach. good luck

 

[Waterloo]

How about the 29.5

Any chance this info would be good for the 29.5? I am in need of a good tuning and dont know how to go about it... help....!!!

 

[Dave Condon]

Rake

kBell's adsvice on tuning is good but be careful not to put too much rake in the mast. I find the 260 to be less performancee oriented with too much rake. I know since I have tuned over 15 of these puppies