[C320-list] Selden Spreader End Cap Installation Query

[Stephen Cox]

Dave,

Thanks for this info.  It definitely confirms my thoughts and my rigging
will be changed later this week.  The real question is whether I can get the
original dealer to come up with the money to pay for this.

Stephen Cox
Tegwen #1141
Canberra AUSTRALIA

> -----Original Message-----
> From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com 
> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of 
> Utility Email
> Sent: Thursday, October 28, 2010 3:13 PM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Selden Spreader End Cap Installation Query
> 
> Stephen
> 
> I have C320 Mk II hull 1107 and just moved my boat from San 
> Diego to Seattle by truck last month.  I also have a Selden 
> in mast furling rig.  When I unstepped the mast in SD.  I too 
> found that the spreader caps were not installed with the 
> standing rigging in the clamping hole.  Also, where the 
> rigging was installed in the clamping hole, the end cap was 
> not clamped to the standing rigging.  
> 
> I researched this through Selden and yacht riggers in both 
> San Diego and Seattle (2 cities with a very experienced and 
> vibrant maritime industry).  My research showed that the 
> standing rigging needs to pass through the clamping hole in 
> the shroud end caps and these clamps should be tightened.  I 
> was a little surprised by this as I would have thought that 
> the Catalina dealer in Ventura, CA would have commissioned 
> the rig this way when the boat was delivered there in 2007.
> 
> So the rigger in Seattle set up the standing rig gin on my 
> Selden rig to be clamped by the cap shrouds.  If I remember 
> correctly, the standing rigging that is on the diagonal is 
> routed through the clamping hole on each cap shroud.  If 
> these is a slight vertical mis alignment, remember that this 
> is slightly corrected for with mast prebend and a slight aft 
> rake of the mast when it is tuned.  
> 
> Another couple of points that I found when tuning my recently 
> restepped mast:
> 
> 1.  The standing rigging cable diameter on my boat is metric 
> sized and not inches.  Therefore, the standard C320 owners 
> manual describing the cable sizes in inches diameter 
> incorrect for my Selden rig.  This makes a difference for 
> determining prestressed loads in the standing rigging, 
> especially if you use the US units Loos Gauge's like I did.  
> The C320 IA tool loaner program worked great for me.
> 
> 2.  I hiked up the mast and adjusted my speeders to be 
> "level" after the mast was stepped and close to being tuned.  
> This way I could ensure that the standing rigging geometry 
> and spreaders was at the correct angle to the mast ("level").
> 
> 3.  Remember that the standing rigging is an indeterminant 
> system, meaning one small change in standing rigging length 
> can affect significant change in the stress of other rigging. 
>  Make sure to adjust and check loads often to ensure that 
> things are balanced and that the rig is "plumb" and "true."
> 
> 4.  Make sure you check your rig tuning during and after some 
> vigorous sailing.  
> 
> 5.  I found the Selden Mast guide that came with my boat 
> (also found on the web) to be a great guideline.
> 
> I hope this information helps.  Good luck.
> 
> Dave Swanson
> 2007 C320 MK II, No.  1107
> S/V Emily Ann
> Mukilteo, WA      
> 
> David B. Swanson, P.E., S.E.
> Principal, LEED AP
> Director, Structural Engineering
> 
> Reid Middleton, Inc.
> (425) 741-3800 office
> (425) 741-5011 direct
> (425) 508-7971 mobile
> 
> www.reidmiddleton.com
> 
> 
> On Oct 26, 2010, at 5:32 AM, "Stephen Cox" <scox at timmin.com> wrote:
> 
> > I am in the process of preparing Tegwen #1141 for a trip 
> from Batemans 
> > Bay down the NSW coast and across Bass Strait to Hobart, Tasmania, 
> > then a circumnavigation of Tasmania and finally the return 
> across Bass 
> > Strait and back to her home port of Batemans Bay.  This is a 
> > potentially "heroic" trip and so I am wanting everything to 
> be as right as I can make it.
> > 
> > This week I had the rigging checked and tuned. (It has 
> always been too 
> > loose IMHO and this proved to be the case). As part of this 
> process it 
> > came to light that the end cap in the top spreader appears to have 
> > been installed incorrectly and I am wondering if other MKII owners 
> > with the Selden rig have their top spreaders configured as mine are?
> > 
> > The end cap has two holes in it to take shrouds - one 
> clamping and one 
> > with no grip at all.  Tegwen's cap shrouds have been 
> installed through 
> > the no grip hole on the top spreader.  The Selden "HINTS 
> AND ADVICE on 
> > rigging and tuning of your Seldén mast" 2010-06-29 edition 
> talks about 
> > clamping the top spreader on a multi spreader rig.
> > 
> > I did take pictures of as much as possible when Tegwen was being 
> > readied by the dealer and the detail can be seen at 
> > http://sgcox.site.net.au/tegwen_cap_shroud_spreader_cap.htm.  While 
> > having the wit to take pictures at the time I didn't have 
> the wisdom 
> > then to interpret fully what now seems to be very clear.
> > 
> > I believe Tegwen was incorrectly rigged on delivery but 
> just want to 
> > know how others have been rigged before I take this any further.  I 
> > don't need to lose the rig on the west coast of Tasmania!
> > 
> > Stephen Cox
> > Tegwen #1141
> > Canberra AUSTRALIA
> >