Tuning the rig

valcour · Jan 19, 2011

I think you haven't received an answer yet because if you ask 10 people you will probably get 10 different answers, but here is my process, based on not owning a tension gauge (assuming mast was just reinstalled): ease backstay, vang, and main sheet so boom is supported by the hard vang. leave the lowers and intermediate stays loose. Sight the boat from a distance at the stern to determine if the top of the mast is centered over the base (it probably will have a port list which you must consider also). You can also attach a steel tape to the main halyard and measure to the chain plates or gunwale on each side. Adjust the uppers until the measurement is the same and the top of the mast is centered over the base. You will want them almost as tight as you can get with a good sized screwdriver/wrench. Adjust the lowers snug, then sight up the sail track (may be easier if the mainsail slugs are removed). Adjust lowers to keep mast straight. Forward lowers will be a little tighter than aft lowers. Move up to the intermediates and adjust them so the sail track is straight as you look up. If you are tall enough to sight up the mast while pulling inward towards the mast on the lowers or intermediates, this will give you a reference as you sight up the mast (or pass a short line around the wire and pull that). Keep working until the track looks straight. Go sailing and sight up the mast to see if the top falls off to leeward, and if it does, tighten the upper on the low side a turn or two, tack over, and adjust the same number of turns on the other side until it is straight under load. I think the (lee side) lowers slack under sail is fast, but others may disagree. Once you get back to the dock sight up the track again, and adjust it straight, from the uppers first, then lowers, then intermediate shrouds.

If you have a loos tension guage, here http://yachtpals.com/node/10872 are some numbers for the 320 rig.

Tuning the rig

SceptreSailor

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valcour

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SceptreSailor

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