[C320-list] Rig Tune - Loos Gauge - Shroud Size - Hull #1092

[Rich Allen]

Hello Jim,

I am in Rochester as well, however now out for a 6 week cruise :)

I am not an expert on rig tensioning, but a couple of thoughts:
Start by making sure the top of the mast is centered.  You can check for
this by using the main halyard.  Play out enough line such that the shackle
just reaches the chain plate.  Check this on both sides of the boat, if one
side is closer than the other your mast head is not centered.

Once the mast head is centered with some modest tension applied to the
uppers, work on making the mast straight, also with modest tension.

Then dial in the specific tension with equal turns on each side of the
boat.  Mark Yeager provided an excellent tuning guide on the forum some
time ago (2004).  You seem to have non-standard wire gauge, and that
complicates things.  I would preserve the same relative tension between the
forward and aft lowers.  Your suggestion to translate tension from one
device to the other seems reasonable to me.  You may want to check on this
with Doug Burtner at Quantum Sails in Rochester.  If he does not know the
answer outright he at least could direct you to a local rigging expert.

Good luck Jim!

Rich Allen, Destiny, 1995 C320 #265


On Sat, Jun 24, 2023 at 9:18 AM ART HARDEN via C320-list <
c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:

> I dropped my mast for the first time last year. Honestly I never really
> check the mast alignment till this year. I balanced the turnbuckles so they
> had equal thread. The marina sets the mast but does no tuning. After
> letting the mast and stays settle in for couple weeks I divide to tighten
> everything up. What I found was tension is important but also alignment I
> sighted up the mast and it was as crooked as a snake. The stays were
> tensioned but the mast was crooked. I loosened everything and started all
> over again. I started with the lower stays and balanced them left and right
> and then added tension with 2 turns port 2 turn starboard until it got
> tight and then dropped to 1 at a time. This would have been easier with two
> people but I’m an independent cuss. I stood at the bow with a 6” straight
> edge ruler to check alignment. I was shocked at how much it can be out of
> alignment especially at the top. I will suggest a 12 inch straight edge
> would have made sight a little easier. I will be checking tension with a
> loose gage after a couple of short sails.
>
> Just my experience thus far.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
> Art Harden
> Catalina 320 "Tortuga" E-62
> 937.885.9380 (o)
> 937.477.5544 (m)
>
> > On Jun 23, 2023, at 9:09 PM, James Ingle via C320-list <
> c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
> >
> > Hello,
> >
> > I am in the process of attempting to tune my rig. I have read through
> multiple discussions on the forum but perhaps need some clarification /
> direction on my shroud sizes / tensions.
> >
> > My hull is #1092 built in 2007, I have a Schaefer furling mast. My mast
> comes off in the winter and during the 1st 2 seasons of owning the boat, I
> just tuned it based on measurements I took off of the turnbuckles. I can’t
> say there where any issues with it but I am to novice to know whats right /
> wrong.
> >
> > Local riggers in my area (Rochester NY)  have become scarce so I
> purchased a Loos PT2 and PT3 gauge(s) and are attempting to tune the mast
> based off archived threads from this forum.
> >
> > The one discrepancy I have is my lower shrouds D1A and D1F are 5/16
> verses 1/4” which is what it specified in the manual and seems to be called
> out in multiple threads.
> > The only 1/4” shrouds I have are the intermediates and the back stay
> >
> > Unless I’m mistaken, I would need to use the Loos PT3 gauge on the
> lowers since the PT2 wont measure over 1/4”. If this is the case, what loos
> PT3 settings would I use on the lowers? I guess one way would be to just
> convert the PT2 numbers to the PT3?
> >
> > The Loos numbers I’m using are
> > Backstay PT2 - 30
> > Caps  PT3 - 20
> > Int’s PT2 - 32
> > D1A PT2 - 30 (doesn’t fit)
> > D1F PT2 - 35 (doesn’t fit)
> >
> > Any help would be appreciated.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Jim Ingle #1092
> >
> >
>