Odd thing happened this weekend while stepping the mast on my 87 272. It has been on the trailer for two months while I gave it a fresh bottom job and added chainplate reinforcements to the bulkheads. I did not move the chainplate locations, mind you. I simply sandwiched hardwood panels over the existing bulkheads. When we stepped the mast (hinged tabernacle with pins) we tried to connect the upper and lower shrouds after the mast was upright. With one side connected, and the turnbuckles as far out as we could adjust, there was still at least 1/2" to go before the pins would go in. We tried one last time by letting the mast down enough to slacken the shrouds, then stepped it again. Once everything was upright, the shrouds were guitar string tight. ??? We launched the boat, and when I motored around to the dock, the lower shrouds were loose, but the uppers were still tight? Is this from the weight of the keel resting on the trailer vs. hanging under the boat? Is this normal? I posted this on the Facebook page as well. I'm looking for as much insight as I can get, as I don't want to break something, and I sure would like to see how this thing sails.
Thanks for your help,
Chad Stretz
Thanks for your help,
Chad Stretz