Shroud Tension and Tuning...so much confusion

[Curwen]

Hello,

I have an 1989 26D that I recently purchased. I'm almost ready to put her in the water. Before doing so, I set the mast up in the driveway and I noticed two things...

1) The forestay cable was incredibly tight. I needed help getting it close enough to be able to put the forestay pin in place. The turnbuckles were out as far as possible without risking them coming out of the housing. I realize I can adjust the side shrouds to control the tension on the forestay. I have access to a loos gauge so what should the tension on the forestay, upper shrouds, and lower shrouds be? I've looked at several threads and I can't seem to find a consensus on this. I've read that you should tighten the forestay with turnbuckle all the way closed, as far as it will go, really?

2) My backstay had no tension on it. I've read that it should have equal tension as the forestay? Is that correct? If so, how do you set the mast with backstay tension? Other comments seem to suggest that there isn't much need for tension on the backstay since the side shrouds handle that responsibility. Again...more confusion.

I realize that tuning is a personal preference, but I am a day sailor looking to get an idea of what a properly set up rig looks like.

Thank you in advance,

Curwen

[Sumner]

On the S and D the forestay is tensioned against the shrouds and the backstay can be snug or you can tighten it if you need to in some situations. I never have. My understanding is that it mainly helps to support the mast running and for tuning the mast bend.

I changed the forestay on our S to 5/32nds and it and the shrouds are around 300 using the gauge. They were never that tight when I first got the boat and I'm sure most people don't run them that tight.



I have a Johnson Lever .....

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... ng-24.html

.... so can pin and then flip the lever over. I set the tension with the loos gauge once and with the lever it should stay pretty consistent as I don't have to mess with the turnbuckle anymore. I use to loosen the turnbuckle, pin and then tighten it to just a feel. After getting the gauge I realized I was pretty loose but there again feel most people sail their boats like that. You will get answers all over the 'boat' so do what you feel comfortable with.

Sumner

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1300 miles to the Bahamas and back -- 2015

The MacGregor 26-S

The Endeavour 37

Trips to Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

[Curwen]

Sumner,

Thank you!

I think you convinced me to go get a Johnson Lever.

According to BWY.....

My Mac (26D) should have 3-6 degrees of aft rake.

Forestay: To determine if the forestay is properly tensioned. If I turn into the wind in a stiff breeze, I need to tighten the forestay. If it turns away from the wind in a stiff breeze, I need to loosen the forestay.

Mast bend: There should be some. Light wind and heavy require different mast bend. Light winds require a little mast bend and heavy winds should 2-3 inch mast bend.

Backstay: Since I'm a fractional rig, the backstay contributes little to headstay tension.

Thanks,

Curwen