I re-read Bruce's article again and went out this morning to fix my rigging. The lower shrouds were tight but the uppers were loose and with a UV covered Genoa on the furler, I was getting mast pumping and furler flopping. First time I ever played with the slot adjusters and they are a big pita. I did manage to tighten up the uppers quite a bit (probably not as tight as they should be) and get the side to side measurements within half an inch (had been a whole inch different). I went out sailing in the afternoon with a 10 mph breeze and the rig is much less sloppy now. May even be just good enough not to mess with it again.
My question is whether anyone knows why the recommendation in Bruce's article is to have the uppers tighter than the lowers? My intuition would tell me that all four shrouds should be about the same tension.
Shroud Tensions
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Dimitri-2000X-Tampa
- Admiral
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- Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2004 5:36 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Tampa, Florida 2000 Mercury BigFoot 50HP 4-Stroke on 26X hull# 3575.B000
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Steve K
- Captain
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- Joined: Fri Jan 09, 2004 7:35 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26D
- Location: So. Cal. desert
Dimitri,
I think it is because the uppers pushing against the spreaders is what induces the mast static pre-bend. You would need them a little tighter than the lowers to induce this bend. Also, the uppers overall span is much farther than the lowers. The short span of the lowers need not be as tight to give the needed support because they are short and run straight from point A to point b.
My best guess, not expert advice
SK
I think it is because the uppers pushing against the spreaders is what induces the mast static pre-bend. You would need them a little tighter than the lowers to induce this bend. Also, the uppers overall span is much farther than the lowers. The short span of the lowers need not be as tight to give the needed support because they are short and run straight from point A to point b.
My best guess, not expert advice
SK