[C320-list] rigging

[Jeff Church]

Stan,

I agree. I just don't think THAT much sag is necessary. Do you have as much
sag as Yeager recommends?

Jeff
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Stan" <ola7442000 at gmail.com>
To: "C320-List" <c320-list at catalina320.com>
Sent: Friday, September 01, 2006 9:41 AM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] rigging


>I have to respond to the sagging forestay.  I have experimented and yes in
> light winds (2-6 Kts.)  I can sail somewhat faster and definetly higher
> with
> a sagging forestay.  I know this doesn't make a lot of difference unless
> your racing.  I've think/feel there is a noticable diffeence going
> downwind
> but the wind and seas vary too much to quantify actual improvements.
>
> Stan
> "Our Little Amusement" #744
>
>
> On 9/1/06, Jeff Church <jjemail at comcast.net> wrote:
>>
>> Bruce,
>>
>> > >The manual does not discuss pre-bend, does everyone tune for straigt?
>> Our masts are very stiff and don't allow for much pre-bend, but if you
>> adjust the forward lower shrouds tighter than the aft lowers you can
>> encourage a little mast bend when you haul in the backstay adjuster.
>>
>> > >It also says that you can adjust for 0 to 1 percent rake....
>> I think the manual calls for 1 degree of rake. I've tried 1 degree of
>> rake
>> and had a bit too much weather helm, so I reduced the rake to just about
>> zero. You can get a rough idea how much rake you have if you hang
>> something
>> heavy from the main halyard and use it as a plumb bob. You'll have 1
>> degree
>> of rake if there is an 8 inch space between the back of the mast and the
>> halyard, at the base of the mast.
>>
>> >> The backstay seems very tight and very dificult to get installed.
>> I added a 2" eye jaw toggle to the backstay.
>> http://schaeferhardware.com//SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=223
>>
>> The C320 manual gives you the basic instructions for centering the mast,
>> and
>> you can get some good info from Mark Yeager's Rig Tune and Sail Selection
>> article on the C320 site.
>> http://www.catalina320.com/article.php/20040828173431380
>> I disagree with one of Yeager's points related to rig tuning. He suggests
>> adding a toggle to lengthen the forestay instead of the backstay. He says
>> this will give you more mast rake, but the length of the forward lowers
>> limits the maximum amount of rake to about 1 degree. At that point the
>> forestay is no where near the end of its adjustment, so why add a toggle?
>>
>> Yeager has another curious suggestion. He says that you should be able to
>> swing the forestay in a 1 foot diameter circle. I've got my rig adjusted
>> for
>> the amount of forestay sag that he suggests, and I haven't found a single
>> point of sail or wind condition where easing the backstay adjuster all
>> the
>> way off and letting the forestay sag that much yields better boat speed.
>> My
>> sailmaker agrees. He checked the rig when he delivered new sails and said
>> that the forestay is too loose. Also, unless you have a very long
>> backstay
>> adjuster (mine is limited by the height of the bimini) you'll have
>> difficulty getting enough forestay tension. You might try for half the
>> sag
>> that Yeager calls for.
>>
>> I hope that helps.
>>
>> JeffC
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: <bruceheyman at cox.net>
>> To: "C320-List" <c320-list at catalina320.com>
>> Sent: Thursday, August 31, 2006 6:02 PM
>> Subject: [C320-list] rigging
>>
>>
>> > I'll be tuning the rig tomorrow for the first time.
>> >
>> > The manual does not discuss pre-bend, does everyone tune for straigt?
>> >
>> > It also says that you can adjust for 0 to 1 percent rake.  What does
>> > everyone recommend.  We want a little weather helm.  Also I assume that
>> 1
>> > percent means the head of the mast will be 1 percent of the spars
>> > length
>> > back from vertical.
>> >
>> > The backstay seems very tight and very dificult to get installed.
>> > Since
>> > it is adjustable I expected that it would be floppy when released.  Any
>> > advice?
>> >
>> > Any other tips or lesons learned would be much appretiated.
>> >
>> > Bruce
>> > Somerset 671 So Cal
>> > Sent via BlackBerry from Cingular Wireless