Rig tuning

[Silkie]

[MrMcP]

I have extensive experience here.

First, get a tuning gauge. Then, leave Glasgow for Craobh without any of the recommended tensions in your bag. Next, after arriving at the boat find out that the gauge you borrowed is too narrow for the wire on your boat. Tug a few of the lines/wires and see if the mast changes shape. It does, but now looks like a broken twig. Loosen the lines/wires again. Dig around in the cockpit for something suitable to use as a weight on the end of the main halyard. Find that the more stuff you hang off the end of it, the more the wind blows it around rendering it completely ineffective.

Have a coffee.

Dig around the countless manuals, and find a Selden tuning guide. Realise after reading it cover to cover that it only makes sense if you have the recommended tension settings. Tighten a few more wires, then loosen them off when the mast looks quite bendy - in the wrong places. Send someone up the mast to the spreaders, if only to get them out the way while you consider your options.

Finally, admit defeat and go to the marina office. Speak to helpful chap that tells you he doesn't use gauges, does it all by feel. Go back to boat and feel tension in wires. Nothing falls over, or looks too bendy in the wrong places.

Have another coffee.

Job done.



Any other questions?

[Pete Cooper]

Pete's simple guide:

Is the boat normally reasonably balanced? If so that tells us that the mast rake is OK. If too much weather helm, reduce rake(tighten forestay slacken backstay). If lee helm then increase mast rake(loosen forestay tighten backstay).

Is the top of the mast central? Take the halyard to a fixed point on one side of the deck and then take it to the equivalent point on the other side. If not the same then adjust upper shrouds until the top of the mast is central.
Now tension each equally by counting turns so that the mast stays centered.
Is the mast straight?
I tension the main halyard down the back of the mast and then by looking up the track can see if there is any sideways bend in the mast. Adjust the lowers until the mast is straight. Once straight apply a reasonable tension by counting turns and matching each side.
Does the pre-bend in the mast match the mainsail?
Hoist the sail and have a look at the camber. Does it look too deep? If so tighten the babystay or forward lowers until the shape is improved.
Check the sideways bend again, correcting if necessary.
Now go sailing in about 12 knots of wind, and with the boat hard on the wind look at the leeward shrouds. If slack, adjust until just not slack, counting the turns.
Go about and then apply the same number of turns to the now leeward shrouds.
When returned to the pontoon it is worth just checking for the top being centred and straight, but that will give you a decent set up.
You can do more, but that involves measuring speed accurately.

[Aja]

E G B D F does it for me every time...

Donald

[Silkie]

I should have used this in the op.



(I know you've been on the forum.)