Dehler 31 - STANDING RIGGING

DEHLER 31/34
SPARS
Spars are painted or anodised with generally alloy or polished stainless steel fittings. It is
inevitable that spars will get scratched and rubbed over a period of time. There is no way
in which an annodised spar can be painted due to the fact that there is no adhesion to this
form of surface treatment. In other words, annodised spars will either have to be stripped
and re-anodised or stripped and painted.
STANDING RIGGING
The standing rigging on any yacht and the
connections into the mast, turnbuckles and
deck connections wanito be checked at regular
intervals, particularly when the yacht is new.
The rigging and fittings will
give slightly when
the yacht is new and small adjustments will be
necessary to maintain a straight mast. Always
keep the rigging firm. However, a little slack-
ness in the leeward rigging is acceptable as
wind strength increases. In otber words,
never sail with slack rigging for this could
cause uneven tension in the rigging and dis-
tortion in the mast which must always be
regarded as a compression strut which, at
times, Is under some considerable load,
especially when the yacht is driven hard, well
heeled to windward. You will appreciate a
compression strut (in this case a mast) is
designed to be kept straight as possible. The
mast is designed to bend (and must be bent)
a little in the fore and aft plane, especially
when the mainsail is reefed. This is due to
the fact that as the headboard to the mainsail
is drawn down the mast there is some con-
siderable aft loading in the spar which can tend
to invert the mast in the middle and hook the
masthead forward, this is not acceptable.
On three-quarter and seven-eigth rigged yachts
(such as a Dehler 31 and 34) as wind speeds
increase, tightening the backstay will effectively
flatten the mainsail and open the leech. The mast
will bow forward in the middle as the head of the
mast is pulled aft.
RUNNING RIGGING
The great problem associated with running rigging is chafe, ensure at all times that sheets
lead fair from the sails through turning blocks to the winches. Halyards which get twisted
round, for example, the forestay will quickly weaken and fracture. This will also cause
undue wear to the sides of the sheave and sheave boxes. Check your running rigging at
regular intervals also splices, whippings, snap shackles etc. When the yacht is at rest
ensure that all running rigging is spanned away from the mast as continual halyard tapping
against the mast can be irritating and will quickly wear the annodised or painted surface
coatings.
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