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Rig Tuning/Bent Mast

Gline

Member I
1CE9D37D-ED39-4CE6-AB95-B88BC158728A.jpeg
I’m going a bit nuts and could use some guidance!

I’m about finished with a lengthy 2 month long rigging project. Pulled the mast for new paint, electrical, new backing plates, new rigging and even installed new U-Bolt chain plates. I did most of the work myself. I’m exhausted and just want to go sailing!!

But I can’t get the mast straight (Port to Starboard). There’s a slight kink above the top spreader off to port. I have attempted to tune the mast 6 maybe 10 times and can’t get rid of the bend. I’ve tried tuning top down, bottom up and everything in between. I know the top of the mast is centered port to starboard and the rig tension is appropriate. Just that damn bend at the top…

My only thought is the top spreader is holding tension. So I should go up and make sure the upper shroud can freely move through it. I’m not experienced at tuning so this could just by my error also.

Overall, I have 3 questions:
1. Can I go sailing tomorrow, is this slight bend unsafe?
2. What do you think is causing this?
3. Should I just call a rigger?

Thnx guys!!345A0285-7CAD-4849-AC6C-5DD4F5B5A326.jpeg
 

Gline

Member I
She’s a 1984 E38 masthead rig with a Kenyon mast. I pretty confident (90-95%) the masthead is centered because I used the main halyard to confirm. I trialed and errored different methods and ended with a fishing scale, pulling at exactly 10 kilograms of force and marking that distance port/starboard. I did this maybe 30 times to confirm.

But if it seems the masthead isn’t centered I could try again with other methods.
 

Dave G.

1984 E30+ Ludington, MI
My boat is a frac rig but the basics are the same I think. I believe it should be a top down procedure as you need to keep the top of the mast centered first and foremost. I would get the mast centered and then tighten the uppers equal turns on both sides until their pretty tight with a 8" wrench (or if you have a loos gauge 12% ish on the scale). Double check you're still centered and then tighten the intermediate & lowers keeping the mast in column as you go getting those pretty snug too. If that doesn't work then maybe you'll have to look at the spreaders. Final tuning under sail.
 

Parrothead

Member III
If you're using equal upper shroud tension as an indication the masthead is centered, I think that's a mistake. Tension does not equal length. Consider that tensioning one shroud also tensions the other without touching it. Equal length measurement, masthead to upper chainplates in a straight line (no spreader) with a non-stretching means combined with equal shroud tension would be a good starting point. A plumb line, masthead to mast step, pulled taut as a sight gauge would show exactly what area of the mast is out of column.
 

goldenstate

Sustaining Member
Blogs Author
It doesn’t appear terribly bent to me, and I would be happy to go sailing on such a boat. You may also find that once you go out and tack a few times in earnest, the rig wiggles and you can/should make some adjustments when you return to home base.
 

Gline

Member I
The photo is difficult to tell.much from.
Was the mast bent before you rerigged?
G
Yes, when I had the mast out working in the yard I could tell that it is clearly not perfectly straight and even has a slight twist. When tuning it I am able to get rid of most of the bend, except the small bend at the top. I'm pretty sure someone with more experience could get it straight.

I'm gunna take another shot at it this week. Might be wasting my time, but at least I'm gaining experience!
 

Kenneth K

1985 32-3, Puget Sound
Blogs Author
Yes, when I had the mast out working in the yard I could tell that it is clearly not perfectly straight and even has a slight twist. When tuning it I am able to get rid of most of the bend, except the small bend at the top.
Knowing that, I'd definitely call a rigger to look at it. If the mast has an existing bend/twist to it, you will only be able to get it "straight" by having uneven tension on the shrouds and spreaders. When you add asymmetric sailing forces on top of the built-in asymmetric forces you applied to get the rig straight, I'd want to know if exceeding design limitations could be a factor, and under what conditions. There are a lot of forces on a 50+ foot rig.
 
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