3.SPARS RIGGING AND HARDWARE
One of the most rewarding activities connected with sailing is
tinkering with your boat’s rigging and hardware. The best
skippers always seem to be looking aloft at the sails and then
thinking about new fittings, or new ways to improving old ones.
In this way a person acquires a thorough understanding of how
and why every piece of sailing equipment works, plus how
to repair and maintain it. As sailors, we too, are
constantly trying to achieve better and easier boat performance;
thus the gear that we install is constantly being improved. What
we hope to accomplish in this section is to give you the
background information for setting up your boat in the beginning
for normal sailing conditions.
When you need more help and information, please consult your
local dealer.
3.1 MAST TUNE ON COMMISSIONING
When the boat is commissioned it is important that the rigging
be set up so as to support the mast in a vertical position
athwartship. With the backstay and headstay only snug and all
lower shrouds loose, tighten the upper shrouds so as to position
the masthead directly over the centerl1ne or the yacht. At this
point both upper shrouds should have equal tension. A person
should be able to deflect the shrouds a couple of inches with a
light pull or push at about chest height. The rigging should not
be set up exceptionally tight. The backstay can then be adjusted
to a position that would be used in light air sailing. Next
adjust the forward lowers so that they have about one inch more
play than the uppers. Finally adjust the aft lowers so that they
have several inches more play than the forward lowers.
Additional preliminary tuning or the mast should take place
while sai11ng to windward in a medium breeze or 8 to 10 knots.
Sighting along the backside of the mast from deck level will
indicate what further turnbuckle adjustment needs to be made to
the windward side of the mast. The top of the mast should be
straight. If the upper shroud tension is correct, adjustment
should be made with the forward lower shroud. If the middle of
the mast is falling off to leeward, tighten the mast to
windward. In this breeze the, aft lower should Just be starting
to get snug but should not be carrying any appreciable load.
Always tack, and then make the turnbuckle adjustments on the now
lee or slack side of the mast and sight the mast on the new
windward side for further corrections. After a few tacks, the
mast should be straight! Secure the rigging by inserting cotter
keys into the turnbuckles; spread them open and cover with tape
to prevent any snags.
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