Stay Tension Concerns

[MazeRat7]

Was out yesterday in 20ish winds on my C22. I was flying a 135 and my one and only reef in my main. The last couple of weekends out, with good wind, I've been noticing what seems visually too much slack in the leeward stays.

This time out fully loaded up with wind, they were seriously "limp" or un-tensioned. When at the slip there is a "little" play in them, but they seem somewhat taught. I don't have one of those tension guages and even if I did, I'm not sure what the settings would be for an '83 C22.

So my questions are:
1) How normal is this for this boat (I've never really noticed so much slack before)?
2) What should I do in the short term to test tension on all the stays without a gauge?
3) Should I keep pushing her as-is until I get a tension gauge or back off as this indicates failing standing rigging, etc.?

Keep in mind, I'm weeks away from purchase of a new boat. I really don't want to invest any more $$$ into my ol' girl at this time. But I don't want to not sail either while waiting on the new boat to be ready.

Thanks in advance,
MZr7

[roline]

On a fractional rigged Santana525:
I use 300 on the lowers and 600 on the uppers. That just keeps them snug in a blow without being too tight at the dock. Well within the 5/32" cable strength.
Underway put a couple turns in on the lower side, tack and then put a couple turns in on the lower side. You can repeat this until just a little tension on lower side, When at dock sight the mast to be sure one side is not over tensioned putting a crook in the mast. A loos gage is worth it...

[JohnRPollard]

The rigging is definitely too slack.

You already know it's loose, so don't worry about getting hold of a Loos gauge.

It doesn't need to be absolutely perfect. Getting it to about 95% is pretty easy to do, assuming you have conventional turnbuckles at the base of your shrouds. What you need to do is take most of the slack out.

You should remove the cotter pins, one at a time, and take about 1-2 turns on the turnbuckles. Begin with the upper shrouds, do one side then the other. Then go to the lower shrouds. Resist the urge to over tighten.

Now take the boat for a sale and see how it all looks on each tack. The leeward shrouds will definitely have noticeably less tension, but they should not be flopping around. If they are, take another turn or so when you get back to the dock.

[CaptainForce]

Over tension can be more damaging than slack. Check to see that your shrouds to windward are keeping your mast true while you are performing with a heel. This is your indication of proper tension.
This is usually accomplished with the uppers more tense than the lowers and the forward lower more tense than the aft lower. You can check the true perpendicular staus of your mast by comparing a position of a line (halyard or topping lift) from the mast head to a symmetrical location on your port and starboard rail. 'take care and joy, Aythya crew

[Jeff_H]

In heavy air, some slack in the leeward shrouds is perfectly normal on these boats. Its is not unusual to use a bit more tension on the rig on a heavier air day and to slacken back off in normal conditions. You don't want to store the boat with the rig tensioned and no matter how tight you make the shrouds there will be some slack in the leewards in heavy air.

Jeff

[JohnRPollard]

Yeah, there's a lot more to it than I described. I am just trying to get him to the point where it's not dangerously slack.

I think only the "sport" version of the C22 has forward and aft lower shrouds -- the standard versions I've seen have single lowers. Is yours a "sport" or standard version?

Also, take a good gander at your spreaders and make sure nothing is amiss.

[MazeRat7]

Originally Posted by JohnRPollard

Yeah, there's a lot more to it than I described. I am just trying to get him to the point where it's not dangerously slack.

I think only the "sport" version of the C22 has forward and aft lower shrouds -- the standard versions I've seen have single lowers. Is yours a "sport" or standard version?

Also, take a good gander at your spreaders and make sure nothing is amiss.

True that but I think I've got a plan. Yes its a standard not a sport but does have 4 shrouds each for the lower and upper. Total of eight. Yes they are defiantly too slack in this kind of air. I agree, close should be good enough for the week(s) to come before I'm tossed into the USS36

They are standard (enclosed) turnbuckles so I think my plan should be to tighten 1-2 turns at the slip all the way around. Check mast camber (fore/aft/port/starbord) and go sailing as usual.

Making adjustment while out could be a challenge considering I'm usually single handed (well the admiral is always below). I think I'll just aim for "better than it is right now" in the short term.

Bottom line, I would hate to have something fail just weeks before I start the process of selling her.

Thanks again guys for all the great advice. I'll let you know here after the weekend how it worked out.

Cheers,
MZr7

[mitiempo]

If when sailing the top of the mast is not sagging to leeward I think the uppers are ok. The problem is mostly in the sagging lowers from what I understand. If this is the case I'd take up on the lowers a turn or 2, but leave the uppers and forestay and backstay alone.
Brian

[MazeRat7]

Originally Posted by mitiempo

If when sailing the top of the mast is not sagging to leeward I think the uppers are ok. The problem is mostly in the sagging lowers from what I understand. If this is the case I'd take up on the lowers a turn or 2, but leave the uppers and forestay and backstay alone.
Brian

Sorry I wasn't clear. Yes the mast seems true when under power, the problem is in the lowers. When I said "all the way around" I was only referring to the four lowers. The leeward upper does slack off a bit, but not nearly as bad as the lowers.

Cheers,
MZr7