Tensioning up standing rigging

[HankOnthewater]

Hi Coopec, I think all the above is good advice. If only one stay or shroud has become slack something is/was not quite right., without the boat being sailed hard. The best call is to ask the original rigger first.
Dean's offer upthread is good, only if postage across the world is reasonable. Failing that, you can borrow my Loos tension gauges (PT series).
Jedi's recommendation of that book is a good one.

[coopec43]

Hi Hank

Good to cross paths again.

Thanks for your offer of the use of the tensioning gauge: I may well take you up on the offer.

The rigger fully expected some "tuning" could be necessary as he told my Son it is possible we may have to adjust the tension (if necessary) so I'm quite relaxed about it now.

I've just read an article on tensioning stays in hot/cold weather. (I found it very informative) Apparently with an aluminum mast and SS stays I don't have much to worry about as their expansion rate is very similar.

https://www.riggingdoctor.com/life-a...igging-tension

[s/v Jedi]

You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make them drink

[coopec43]

Originally Posted by HankOnthewater

Hi Coopec, I think all the above is good advice. If only one stay or shroud has become slack something is/was not quite right., without the boat being sailed hard. The best call is to ask the original rigger first.
Dean's offer upthread is good, only if postage across the world is reasonable. Failing that, you can borrow my Loos tension gauges (PT series).
Jedi's recommendation of that book is a good one.

Hank

Although I have had several experienced sailors on board none of them expressed concern about rig tension. But something I read on Sailnet Forum

"In our yard after they step the mast the guys do a quick tune but nothing "proper." Just enough to keep the mast from falling down.

I know some people can tune their rig by feel, but this is only our second season so we used a Loos gauge. For us it was well worth the purchase".

I have no interest in reading books and becoming a "rig tuner" as I intend selling Helen. Apparently it is one thing to have a Loos tension gauge and another thing to know how to use it.When you are tensioning up a side stay you must tension up the opposite stay in stages at the same time? Sounds logical.

Just another thing to sort out,

[Bowdrie]

Originally Posted by coopec43

When you are tensioning up a side stay you must tension up the opposite stay in stages at the same time? Sounds logical.

Yes, I use a Loos gage, back and forth, side-to-side a million times, small increments of turning the turnbuckles in/out, always checking that the mast was staying centered side-to-side and in lateral column.

[coopec43]

Originally Posted by Bowdrie

Yes, I use a Loos gage, back and forth, side-to-side a million times, small increments of turning the turnbuckles in/out, always checking that the mast was staying centered side-to-side and in lateral column.

Thanks for that! It is all becoming clearer now.
I wonder how many others would bother to tune their rigs so carefully?

Thank you.

[coopec43]

Tensioning up without a Loos Gauge

Jul 21, 2009
Easy with an accurate steel measuring tape. This method will work for ALL sizes of wire and regardless of the wire diameter. The 'target' tension % for most sloops is 15%. The following is a fairly precise method that only needs a 'steel tape ruler' some plastic tape and your brain.

Unload the tension (slack off) then measure and accurately place 2 marks on each shroud at precisely 79.0" (2.0m) apart.
5% tension = .04" (1mm) stretch .... (per 79")
10% tension = .08 (2mm) stretch .... (per 79")
15% tension = .12" (3mm) stretch = approx. 1/8" ..... (per 79")
Cant be any simpler and you don't need a rigging gage only a steel tape measure.

15% is the 'benchmark' tension for most rigging on sloops.
Measure/Mark all the shrouds, etc. when 'unloaded' (~0% tension)
Bring up the tension in 5% increments (ie. all shrouds AT 5% tension), then ALL at 10% tension, then ALL at 15% .... so that the final 'stretch' results in the 79.0" distance ... stretched to 79.12" = approx. 79-1/8" for 15% tension.
Works on ALL stainless steel 'wire' rigging and no matter what the diameter.RichH

https://forums.sailboatowners.com/th...-meter.110355/


I used the following ready reckoner when working out cable diameter required for chain and cable steering on Helen

https://loosco.com/resource-library/...-rope-stretch/

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by coopec43

Tensioning up without a Loos Gauge

Jul 21, 2009
Easy with an accurate steel measuring tape. This method will work for ALL sizes of wire and regardless of the wire diameter. The 'target' tension % for most sloops is 15%. The following is a fairly precise method that only needs a 'steel tape ruler' some plastic tape and your brain.

Unload the tension (slack off) then measure and accurately place 2 marks on each shroud at precisely 79.0" (2.0m) apart.
5% tension = .04" (1mm) stretch .... (per 79")
10% tension = .08 (2mm) stretch .... (per 79")
15% tension = .12" (3mm) stretch = approx. 1/8" ..... (per 79")
Cant be any simpler and you don't need a rigging gage only a steel tape measure.

15% is the 'benchmark' tension for most rigging on sloops.
Measure/Mark all the shrouds, etc. when 'unloaded' (~0% tension)
Bring up the tension in 5% increments (ie. all shrouds AT 5% tension), then ALL at 10% tension, then ALL at 15% .... so that the final 'stretch' results in the 79.0" distance ... stretched to 79.12" = approx. 79-1/8" for 15% tension.
Works on ALL stainless steel 'wire' rigging and no matter what the diameter.RichH

https://forums.sailboatowners.com/th...-meter.110355/


I used the following ready reckoner when working out cable diameter required for chain and cable steering on Helen

https://loosco.com/resource-library/...-rope-stretch/

Yes, I posted that all the way back in post #4 of this thread. It’s in the book you don’t want to read because you’re selling the boat…

[meirriba]

Do you have spreaders on this mast?
If you do, check the angle of the spreader of loose stay.

[coopec43]

Originally Posted by meirriba

Do you have spreaders on this mast?
If you do, check the angle of the spreader of loose stay.

Yes (it is a Roberts 43ft ketch)

Loose stay eh? (I'll check that out when I get a chance)

[blackwell68]

https://support.seldenmast.com/en/technical_info/rigging_instructions.html

Selden's Hints and Advice is free and should have all the information needed.

I would record in a book anytime you adjust/tune your rigging. This would let you see patterns and help spot problems. For example, if the same stay needs to be tightened several times over a summer, you have a problem that needs to be solved, by you or a pro.

[coopec43]

Originally Posted by blackwell68

https://support.seldenmast.com/en/technical_info/rigging_instructions.html

Selden's Hints and Advice is free and should have all the information needed.

I would record in a book anytime you adjust/tune your rigging. This would let you see patterns and help spot problems. For example, if the same stay needs to be tightened several times over a summer, you have a problem that needs to be solved, by you or a pro.

WOW! Very impressive.

Haven't got time to read it now but I have book-marked it for future reference.

Thanks