Rod in front of mast

[bermudarigged]

There is a stainless steel rod suspended from the deck to the base of mast, and I would sure like to know what is its function.

Can anyone enlighten me? Thanks.

[Vasco]

Stops the coachroof at the partners from lifting.

[DennisDW]

Most likely prevents the deck from lifting if you have halyards led through turning blocks at the base of the mast. Mine did and it had a big bolt through the mast and the mast collar.

While on the subject, I wonder if I can leave that bolt out now that I've put all winches and hardware on the mast?
Dennis

[neilpride]

My mast have a better solution, a long bolt trough bolted from the deck collar trough the mast with 2 nuts in each side, in a weird scenario like a 360 dismasted roll i know for sure the rest of the mast stay in the boat,...

[bermudarigged]

Thanks, appreciated. Now it sure makes sense.

[Terra Nova]

Pressure on the rig causes the chain plates to try to move towards each other, bowing the deck upward. The panting rod prevents this movement.

[rognvald]

Bermuda,
The proper way to set your tie rod is when you step the mast, leave the tie rod loose. After tightening your standing rigging, hand tighten your tie rod snugly(do not use a wrench). If you set your tie rod tightly/incorrectly before tightening your standing rigging, it will cause a depression in your cabintop which might become permanent due to the tremendous forces applied. This is one of the most misunderstood elements of a sailboats standing rigging. Good luck and good sailing.

[Cheechako]

It keeps the cabin top from bowing up as the chainplates/rig squeeze the boat narrower. Boats deflect a lot. Glass plastic isn't that rigid... nothing like steel. I once put an oversize hydraulic backstay adjuster on my 44 foot heavy built boat. What I discovered is I still couldn't tension the furling headstay that much... but the boat bent up about 4"!!

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

It keeps the cabin top from bowing up as the chainplates/rig squeeze the boat narrower. Boats deflect a lot. Glass plastic isn't that rigid... nothing like steel. I once put an oversize hydraulic backstay adjuster on my 44 foot heavy built boat. What I discovered is I still couldn't tension the furling headstay that much... but the boat bent up about 4"!!

Yep, most folks don't realize how much their boat bends from fore and aft rig loads. An interesting experiment to do: rig a non-stretch light line (say Dyneema fishing line) from bow pulpit to pushpit so that it is just taught. Then load up the backstay and see how much the line droops down where it passes by the mast. Can be scary!

Jim

[svfinlandia]

Originally Posted by bermudarigged

Thanks, appreciated. Now it sure makes sense.

It also makes a nice hand hold.