Joined
·
2,102 Posts
- Reaction score
- 618
Camp – I glad to read that your mast replacement project is proceeding along. Here are a couple of thoughts:
1 Basic tension is determined by wire diameter. The best way of measuring it is with a “Loos Gauge” (wire tension gauge). If you can’t borrow one at the marina then do the “hand” method described earlier. If you have access to a similar boat (size), pull on their shrouds to get an idea of the tension you are looking for. When you are sailing and you see your leeward shrouds “sagging” (headstay too) then give them an extra turn. When everything is set, wrap some tape on the turnbuckle threads to mark the proper setting – important as you will be dropping the mast for trailering.
2 What is the gap size on the aft stay? Can you fit a second turnbuckle in there? The rigger’s way of closing the gap is by inserting "toggles". They come in 1 – 2 inch increments and are sold from any on-line rig shop.
3 Hardware store rope is good for clotheslines only. Halyards need to be low stretch which you will not find at the hardware store. What is the diameter of your current halyard? You could probably be fine with using something like StaSet or StaSet X. It is pretty affordable and available on-line.
4 Without looking at what you got, I think the previous owner used a gin pole set up to step the mast. Fairly simple. Put the mast base in the step. Attach the back stay as well as the upper and lower aft shrouds. Put the gin pole at the base of the mast. Run the jib halyard over the gin pole and to the bow. Use the hand winch to crank it up. The back stay and lower aft shrouds will keep the mast from falling forward. Take care while hoisting as the mast doesn’t have any lateral stability while going up.
1 Basic tension is determined by wire diameter. The best way of measuring it is with a “Loos Gauge” (wire tension gauge). If you can’t borrow one at the marina then do the “hand” method described earlier. If you have access to a similar boat (size), pull on their shrouds to get an idea of the tension you are looking for. When you are sailing and you see your leeward shrouds “sagging” (headstay too) then give them an extra turn. When everything is set, wrap some tape on the turnbuckle threads to mark the proper setting – important as you will be dropping the mast for trailering.
2 What is the gap size on the aft stay? Can you fit a second turnbuckle in there? The rigger’s way of closing the gap is by inserting "toggles". They come in 1 – 2 inch increments and are sold from any on-line rig shop.
3 Hardware store rope is good for clotheslines only. Halyards need to be low stretch which you will not find at the hardware store. What is the diameter of your current halyard? You could probably be fine with using something like StaSet or StaSet X. It is pretty affordable and available on-line.
4 Without looking at what you got, I think the previous owner used a gin pole set up to step the mast. Fairly simple. Put the mast base in the step. Attach the back stay as well as the upper and lower aft shrouds. Put the gin pole at the base of the mast. Run the jib halyard over the gin pole and to the bow. Use the hand winch to crank it up. The back stay and lower aft shrouds will keep the mast from falling forward. Take care while hoisting as the mast doesn’t have any lateral stability while going up.
