Always prevent the upper threaded turnbuckle stud from turning.
Headstays and backstays should never be taken up so tightly that they
will not "give" an inch or so if you pull on them with moderate force.
Upper shrouds should also be tightened equally and have about an inch of
"give" to them. Forward lower shrouds should have one to two inches of
"give," and the aft lowers slightly more.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES TAKE UP THE RIGGING TO BAR TIGHT TENSION. Both
the mast and the boat can be damaged by excessive tension.
Fine tuning of the rig can be completed after the boat has been sailed,
and may have to be done again after the boat has been out in strong
winds. When sailing, it is important that the mast remain straight and
as nearly in column as possible at all times. While sailing close
hauled, sight up the mast and note any mast curve. Does the mast appear
to be falling off to leeward at the top, or does it hook to the weather
side? Repeat this procedure on the opposite tack.
If the masthead is falling off on both tacks, the forward lower shrouds
are too tight and the upper shrouds are too loose. If the masthead
hooks to windward, the upper shroud is too tight in relation to the
lower on the same side. When sailing to windward, the forward lower
shrouds bear a greater load than the after lower shrouds; however, the
after lower shrouds on the windward side should never be loose. All
shroud tuning should be done from the leeward side. If the rig seems to
be equally balanced when you begin, duplicate every half turn from side
to side.
CHECK TO SEE THAT ALL COTTER PINS OR RINGS ARE IN PLACE AND THAT ALL
SHARP EDGES ARE TAPED.
Rigging that has split strands of wire or cracked swage fittings should
be discarded and replaced.
DECK HARDWARE AND CHAIN PLATES
Most deck hardware is thru-bolted and backed up where necessary.
Periodically these items can leak and should be rebedded with a good
brand of caulk such as "3M 5200" or Sikaflex 241. Care must be taken
not to overtighten the fasteners as the strength can be reduced
severely. Particular attention should be paid to the chainplate
fasteners as they are very critical to the safety of the rig. The
chainplates were torqued at the factory and when recaulking them you
should not exceed the torques listed below:
1/2" bolts 200 inch pounds
3/8" bolts 150 inch pounds
5/16" bolts 90 inch pounds
CHAIN PLATE SYSTEM
Our chainplate system is easy to understand and does what any chainplate
system must do - transmit the rigging loads to the hull AND NOT LEAK.
www.capedory.org - 45 -
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