Tuning the rig on hunter water-ballast boats

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Mar 17, 2008
78
Hunter 23.5 Valletta
Hi,
I would like some advice for proper rig tensioning on these type of boats.
Usually I set the mast with a slight rake and about 4 inches of bend at the centre.(I need the mast bend becouse I'm in a predominantly heavy air region, and also have a rather baggy mainsail. Probably it was designed like that but may have increased from stretching)
My main problem is that I'm a bit scared of over-tightening the shrouds, so I end up under-tightening. I know this becouse I get forestay sag and in moderate winds, I cannot flatten the forward part of the jib.(it is OK in light winds)
I think that there will always be some forestay sag in this type of rig since there is no backstay but my objective is to learn how to set it with the maximum shroud tension without compromising safety.
There are no similar boats in our area so I cannot make a comparison.
Thanks
 
Aug 11, 2006
1,446
Hunter H260 Traverse City
Pages 27 & 28 of your manual give instruction on rigging your boat.

If you can get your hands on a Loose gage less than 20 % of breaking strength is the recommendation I see most often. This is the maximum tension. I'd start with a lower number (say 15 %). When sailing, the leeward shrouds should NEVER be slack. If your leeward shrouds can be moved by hand but not loose, you are in the ballpark.

The length of the forestay can be adjusted but that's not how you adjust rig tension. If the mast is properly centered all you have to worry about is making sure you have the appropriate tension on the shrouds. In addition, overtightening the cap shrouds will just make it harder to pin the forestay.

Go to: http://www.ayesail.net/sailing/Hunter/Hunter19_23_26/target27.html

In addition, since the 23.5, & 240 are very similar, I'd suggest you look at this link for some additional tips:

http://h260.com/rigging/rigging.html
 
Sep 10, 2009
8
Hunter H260 Big Spirit Lake, IA
George,
After reading your references, I take it that the rake (not the bend) of the mast should be 1 degree aft (adjusted with the forestay and kept tight by the upper shrouds) but the position of the mast at the spreaders is actually forward of vertical by 2" (adjusted by tension on the lower shrouds). Am I reading that correctly and is that how you have tuned your 260? I've had my 260 for about 3 seasons but I don't think I've ever had it bend that far forward. Maybe why, among other things like sail trim, I tend to have too much weather helm in stronger winds.
Thanks,
Todd
 
Aug 11, 2006
1,446
Hunter H260 Traverse City
Sounds like your boat is tuned correctly. As you know, these boats have a tendency to head up in gusts and high winds. Since the boat does not have a traveler, the way to counteract this is to depower by releasing the main. Tending the main in gusts and/or reefing early is always the best policy.

I'm not a rigging expert - I just go by what I read in the manual. In my manual the instructions are on page 19a and 19b.

Use the instructions in your manual that says the mast rake should be about one degree aft angle. This is measured by hanging a weight, such as an wrench from the main halyard shackle and adjusting the halyard so the wrench is suspended immediately above the goosneck so there is about 6" between the aft surface of the mast and the weight. If the mast has excessive rake, you'll have excessive weather helm. If you typically sail in heavy winds you can slightly increase mast bend to depower the main.

I've compared the tuning instructions in the H19/23.5 manual with that in the H240/260 manual and they appear to me to be the same despite the fact that the latter boats have a reverse diagional.
 
Mar 17, 2008
78
Hunter 23.5 Valletta
Hi George and Todd,
Thanks for the input. After reading George's references,(very informative) I'm nearly there. Since we use our boat for the summer only, I rig the mast once a year. Since the shrouds would be released for a long time, they seem to shrink, so to attach the forestay I loosen the other 4 then adjust again. I leave the setting of the forestay the same so as not to change the rake. I do another minor adjustment after a week. From what I'm reading, the mast rake and bend are OK.
I think the best thing for my 'should' list for next season is to invest in a Loos gauge.
 
Sep 10, 2009
8
Hunter H260 Big Spirit Lake, IA
I highly recommend getting one. I've made good use of my Loos guage. Knowing that the shrouds are tight but not overstressed is important for me.
Thanks - Todd
 
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