tension??

[OtterGreen]

i have a Santana 2023 that i am trying to find the right rigging tension for. currently it is at 30 (360 lbs) upper and 10 (160 lbs) lower. my friend tuned it up with a loos gauge but no where in my manual does it say what is too tight, too loose.. ive even called WD Schock and even they cant provide me with any info. anyone have some insight?? the mast seems to perfrom great i am just afraid of putting too much pressure on the deck. thanks.

[sfchallenger]

I'm not sure about measurable tension for your rig, I subscribe to the idea that the leeward shrouds should still remain quite taunt when headed to windward during a heavy blow.

Cheers,
h

[RichH]

Rig tension is THE important factor in jib/genoa shape. Most all-purpose cruising jibs/genoas are designed for the forestay to be at approx. 15% wire tension when sailing in 15kts. The forestay tension is controlled by adjusting the backstay tension. The 'basic' tension (for sailing in 15kts.) is 15% on the cap shrouds, forestay & backstay; backstay gets higher tension in higher windstrengths.

Set your rig to ~15% tension, then go sailing in 15kts. and SEE how the rig performs. Here's a link that will explain why you need to correlate sail shape with rig tension: MatchingLuffHollow.gif picture by svAquila - Photobucket

For me, 'too tight' is when the boat is over on its ear when on a beat and the loos gage on the backstay goes 'over' 30% .... above 30% the risk of short rigging life due to 'fatigue' become a vulnerability (most common stainless steel begins to rapidly fatigue when at over 30% max. loading when the 'load cycles' are 'repetitive').
:-)