Twisting mast

[Jason Patterson]

I just purchased a '87 h23 with wing keel. I have a francespar mast and it looks to be twisting counter-clockwise. Is that normal or is there a problem? The spreaders seem to be off center also. Thanks Jason

 

[Joel]

Sounds off to me

It doesn't sound correct to me. Sounds like the port side shrouds are tighter thanthe starboard ones. I found a very good video tape on tuning your rig on Brion Toss's web site. Brion is a very well known professional rigger who has explained very clearly and simply how to tune and inspect your various rigging components. See his site (listed below) for more info.

 

[Jim Maroldo]

Jason, I assume you DO mean "twisted", not "bent"? If you have the H23 manual, Hunter reccommends putting a slight fore-and-aft prebend in the mast by selectively tightening the upper and lower mast stays (I bet I get alot of feedback on that statement!). I haven't played much with this adjustment yet, but from this forum, I've come to understand that it makes a big difference in the boat's tracking ability and resistance to weather helm in stronger winds. Anyway, if you really do mean "twisted", i.e. one spreader tip is further foward of the other, then I would say that you have a problem. If you sight up the luff groove, twist and/or side-to-side bend should be obvious but non-existent. Hope this helps...