Rigging help

[macowneril2015]

So I am new to tuning and rigging and I had to replace the luff on the furler and I think I cut it to the right length (I think it may be too long) but when I had the mast up prior it seemed to lean back what seemed to be steep compared to other sailboats, any suggestions on figuring out the appropriate forestay would be helpful. I also do not not know how to true "tune" the side stays, I purchased the tuning tool but I am not sure what is too tight, I am not sure if there are tricks but I had the mast up for the first half of the season and realized the upper shrouds were way too lose and it seemed like the lower ones were over tight. I have the mast down now at my slip while I rig the furler but and suggestions is appreciated.

[Jimmyt]

This is an excerpt from the manual, available on this site. https://macgregorsailors.com/resources/ ... l_1996.pdf



Get the forestay length set so that your mast is at the correct angle as shown. Some prefer less rake, but that is your call. Then, you can tension the shrouds as discussed in the manual. Maybe someone has used a loos gage on an X and can give their readings.

Good luck and be careful. Best to have another set of hands around when you do this.

[Tomfoolery]

The design rake angle is greater than most other sailboats, so it will look a bit raked.

As to rig tuning, there have been posts in the past with tension values, including mine, but you’d have to search for them. I might have some info in my notebook. I’ll check when I get a chance.

With the X, the outer (upper) stays will normally have more tension than the inner (lower) stays, as I recall. The lowers control the bend in the mast, and under load, also take the compression load of the spreaders, which is a result of the tension in the upper stays.

The forestay is not adjustable other than for rake. Whatever you do with the shrouds changes the tension in the forestay (think radio tower with three stays at 120 degrees apart), so adjusting the side stays is all you need to do once you have the mast rake correct.

And I have less rake in mine that the book shows. Rounds up too much with that much rake.

[macowneril2015]

Thank you for that information. I guess it helps to know that I need to set the rake prior to to the side stays so I will let those be looser to start before I get that set. I will let everyone know how it goes today.

[Tomfoolery]

Be advised also that the angle they show in the manual is to the deck - it's not from plumb. The deck in front of the mast is not level when the boat is level. So don't hang a plumb bob from the mast to use for setting the angle. Like I did when I first got the boat.

[macowneril2015]

I was able to get to 95 maybe 96 degrees versus the 94. Will that be okay, I will cut furler down this fall. Another side question my genoa lacks sunbrella covering, can i leave it on the furler in the slip for the next few weeks?

[C Buchs]

Leaving it in the sun will shorten the life of your sail. How much? Probably not much in a couple of weeks. You should get one of these: http://shop.bwyachts.com/product-p/2308-1v0.htm

Jeff

[macowneril2015]

Leaving it in the sun will shorten the life of your sail. How much? Probably not much in a couple of weeks. You should get one of these: http://shop.bwyachts.com/product-p/2308-1v0.htm

Jeff

Thank you, I was hopeful I did not have to pull it down and okay I was actually looking at those and was considering having my canvas guy make me one still we had left over material from another project.

[macowneril2015]

Leaving it in the sun will shorten the life of your sail. How much? Probably not much in a couple of weeks. You should get one of these: http://shop.bwyachts.com/product-p/2308-1v0.htm

Jeff

Thank you, I was hopeful I did not have to pull it down and okay I was actually looking at those and was considering having my canvas guy make me one still we had left over material from another project.

Brought sails to Doyle and they said some sun rot but not too bad, was able to fix that and a weird stretch in the bolt rope for $100. I also looked into the addition of Sunbrella and they quoted 240-320 but were willing to work with me and can turn it in a few days so next week I will get it done since the Genoa is brand new. Just posting for future reference.

[K9Kampers]

There's more than one way to check rigging tension!...