how tight should my port and starboard stay be

[smallboatlover]

i just got new rigging my boat i put it the way it was and it was way to loose. so i tightened it and its still not tight the mast moves about and inch or two so should i tighten it to when its tight enough.
the mast is the kind were you put in in a slot put a pin through it and then just raise it.with a front stay startboard stay and port stay.

[smallboatlover]

a quick respone would help i would like to take the boat out today after it's bin sitting for the last two weeks.

[LooseDiamond]

Not familiar with your boat, but I would generally approach it this way:

Raise the mast, and use some method of determining whether it is plumb with the boat. ie. use a halyard or string from the top. You can put a weight on it, and if the boat is level, determine whether the mast is "straight" (might need a little rake to the stern). Tighten forestay.

Then tighten the port/stbd stays in turn until tight. You can check the side-to-side by measuring to the edge of the boat.

Tighten until maybe a few inches of travel when you pull on it. The mast shouldn't move much if at all.

Go sailing. I would think the leeward stay might get slack under medium/heavy winds. If too slack, stop and adjust.

This is very general information. Take it for what it is worth. I don't have a gauge to measure tension when I rig my Catalina 22, but this is my method to get started.

It should get you on the water today, anyway! Go sailing!!!

[smallboatlover]

thanks and it's not some thing you can tighten you have to move a pin to tighten it and adjust it up a hole or down a hole. also before the new rigging the stay that doesn't have the load on it is very slack like so slack that it dangaling the stay. it just moving around with the wind no load on it.

[dhays]

Keep in mind that depending on the type of wire, you may get some initial stretch as well. Just tighten it evenly as LooseDiamond suggested making sure that the mast is straight. Typically, you can set the shrouds and then leave them in place when you unstep the mast. The forestay is removed from the bow but it's adjustment doesn't need to be changed. Again, we are making guesses as we don't know what your setup looks like. Shoot some pics.

Set it up and go sailing.

[celenoglu]

Tighter, better. Tighten both sides to keep the mast straight.

[blt2ski]

My first thought, assuming you have tightened the new rigging to the same approx turns as the old rigging, the new stuff might be too long! Otherwise, yes, tighten it up, the mast should not move at all!

Marty

[WDS123]

You are going to want to subtly change rig tension in different conditions - some very general considerations
lighter air = looser rig.
heavier air = tighter rig, plenty of pre-bend

I am unfamiliar with your boat or rig , but the rig shouldn't be flopping around. Also check the partners and mast step to determine if there is adjustment in this locations.

A good source for specific rig tuning is often the sailmaker or user group.

[OtterGreen]

we just tensioned our rigging this year. i was in the same boat, i didnt know what was too much tension. first i will tell you to buy a Loose Gauge .after fiddling around for a while i determined that 35 on the upper and 25 on the lowers was about right. it kept the mast straight and under load the stays have minimal movement on the leeward side. make sure that with that gauge it has symetrical numbers like say 40 upper on both sides and 30 lower..

[WDS123]

Otter,

Just looked at the Mistral on the web - it looks to be a copy of a Lido14.

I'll say that Loos gauge 35 & 25 is likely too much tension for a wee dinghy. He might tear the chainplates out.