Shroud Tension how to tell mast is even each side.

[leefrankpierce]

Without specialized tools, when tensioning our shrouds, how do we determine we are even on both sides?
NOTE: I have replaced my shrouds on one side, they were not exactly the same as the other side but close enough.
Point being, I can not just look at the connections to see we are in the same holes.
Do we see any advantage in changing to turnbuckles?

[pitchpolehobie]

For the 26X i dont think i ever got a definitive answer on shroud tension. I think the closest I got to an answer is that when you flick the wire you get a "twang" ona tack the leward shroud should be just ever so slightly slack.

In that threads below I see reference to 270/300lbs on the lower and upper shrouds --- but im not sure...

My old thread: viewtopic.php?t=28421

Might be worth reaching out to bwyachts.

[Stickinthemud57]

MacGregors don't need to be as tightly strung as keelboats, but it can be dangerous for shrouds to be too loose. I would say no slack when at rest. You or a trusted crewmember should sight up the mast when on a broad reach to see just how much the mast deflects. Of course, all this gets more complicated if you have an adjustable backstay.

[Wyb2]

I think step one is to just sit at the base of the mast and look up. If you can’t see a curve (side-to-side) than the uppers and lowers are agreeing with each other.

As for the whole mast leaning one way or the other, I think all you can do is walk away from the boat and see if it looks vertical. A difference of a few inches one way or the other over the length of the mast will be imperceptible, but also shouldn’t hurt anything.

[Starscream]

Without specialized tools, when tensioning our shrouds, how do we determine we are even on both sides?
NOTE: I have replaced my shrouds on one side, they were not exactly the same as the other side but close enough.
Point being, I can not just look at the connections to see we are in the same holes.
Do we see any advantage in changing to turnbuckles?

I recommend this tool from BWYachts: https://shop.bwyachts.com/product-p/1301-110.htm. You could make your own, or buy it from them as I did. It allows you to get some good tension on the lines.

There's a lot to think about when rigging the X. You have to be sure that your headstay is the right length by adjusting the turnbuckle that's hidden inside the CDI furler that I assume almost every X has.

When you raise the mast, it's a lot easier if you disconnect the backstay. Let the sidestays stop the mast in position as you raise it, then pin the forestay.

You can use the BWYachts tool to put some tension on the backstay while pinning it afterwards, but it doesn't have to be super-tight.

I don't tighten my sidestays for each voyage. I set them when I changed the furler with some back-and-forth adjustments with the forestay turnbuckle. If you tighten them like you're going on an ocean crossing, then the next time you raise the mast it will be real hard to get the forestay pin in. A few years ago I set my sidestays so that they're visibly tight when I pin the forestay in place, and never adjusted them since. When sailing, the leeward stay is a bit loose, and in high winds it's loose enough that the loop connector on the mask can kink. When this happens and you change tacks, the kink gets pulled out under the tension with a kind of surpising "pop".

All that to say...for a trailerable boat in "normal" trailerable boat conditions, I don't think we need turnbuckles. There are thousands and thousands of 26's out there and I can't remember a single story about a mast coming down because of wind in the sails and loose shrouds. When the masts come down, it's either contact with something stationary outside the boat, a failure due to hardware or shroud fatigue, or improper rigging methods.

[leefrankpierce]

The way I tension = I have a wench on the pole setup simular to an M, so I can pull somewhat tight, then loosen + adjust the sides, tighten again, finally using the turnbuckle to tension.
Seeing the tool, makes me think I am not creative enough.
If I decide to adjust will make one.
Ya I get our rigs are not super critical, just figured to make a small effort to have everything right as I wait for my new sails.
Thanks all.