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Tuning 34-2 rig guide

patrscoe

Member III
Anyone have a proven seasonal tuning rig guide that they follow with good results for a 34-2?
Last year and my first year with the sailboat, I used a 12% to 14% tension on all standing rig. Lowers first, uppers next and forestay and backstay in tandem.
 

1911tex

Sustaining Member
I am afraid of damaging something doing it myself (including me)....I hire a professional rigger every couple of years; doing it right and cost is very, very affordable and worry free. I also ask the rigger for advice whenever he visits.
 

Frank Langer

1984 Ericson 30+, Nanaimo, BC
I am afraid of damaging something doing it myself (including me)....I hire a professional rigger every couple of years; doing it right and cost is very, very affordable and worry free. I also ask the rigger for advice whenever he visits.
Hi,
There is an advantage to having a professional work on our boats - - they have experience we can learn watching, they may see and fix a related problem we hadn't noticed, and it's easier then doing work ourselves.
But I have learned to do most of the required work myself. Much of it is straight forward, not rocket science. I take time, am careful, double check my work, ask advice here and elsewhere. By doing my own maintenance I can fix things underway when necessary, do maintenance when needed rather than when a pro might be available, avoid risk of incompetent pros (yes, they are out there and the results are scary to see!), and I've saved thousands of dollars over the years.
With time and attention to detail, rig tuning is very doable, and there is lots of guidance available.
Just my thoughts...
Frank
 

patrscoe

Member III
I have tuned my previous sailboat rigs for years including a cutter and I have a gauge that I have purchased from a rigger years ago, and I am confident in performing this and not looking to hire someone to do this task.
I am looking for a manufacturer guide on the suggested tensioning percentage for the lowers, uppers, forestay and backstay.
Thanks
 

Christian Williams

E381 - Los Angeles
Senior Moderator
Blogs Author
Me, I go for a sail and if the mast is straight when heeled over on both tacks, that's good enough for me.

(It's normal for the leeward shrouds to go a little loose in heavy air. Rigs should not be set up hard, I have always been told.)

A rigger who knows what he's doing knows more than I do. But I think it is also true that no matter how scientific you get about shroud tensioning, you still have to look up the mast in 20 knots to confirm the spar is in column. And keep looking every time you get a chance.
 

Frank Langer

1984 Ericson 30+, Nanaimo, BC
Me, I go for a sail and if the mast is straight when heeled over on both tacks, that's good enough for me.

(It's normal for the leeward shrouds to go a little loose in heavy air. Rigs should not be set up hard, I have always been told.)

A rigger who knows what he's doing knows more than I do. But I think it is also true that no matter how scientific you get about shroud tensioning, you still have to look up the mast in 20 knots to confirm the spar is in column. And keep looking every time you get a chance.
Christian, as usual, you are right. :)
Most important is to have the mast straight in reasonable winds, with no "S" shape where the lowers and intermediate shrouds connect as one looks up the mast. The leeward shrouds should feel slightly loose, but not look loose.
But there's alot more detail available on this site and others to help those wanting more info.
Frank
 
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