Stay/Shrouds tension

[Scott]

Any advice on the optimal tension using the Loos gauge for the shrouds (upper & lower) and backstay for a CD 30 Cutter?



ssantoro1@attbi.com

[Larry DeMers]

On DeLaMer, we tension to about the 1/3 mark on the Loos gauge. (whatever the number it displays is..I cannot recall it precisely now).
In the past, we have tensioned to the midrange of the gauge, but it bought us nothing, and was more work, while the rig was under higher continuous tension. So we tried a little less this year, and it worked well, with no differences from the high tension settings of last year.
The main trick is get the mast truly upright and centered between the shrouds, and then tension *equally* on all opposing stays. The mast must be straight, in column, and centered under all sail loads. The lee shrouds should just become detensioned when beating into a 15 kt wind. This means they all will be equally loose and just free enough to move with the boat motion...barely. That, as well as equal sailing performance on each tack, is the desired feedback for a properly setup mast.

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30 Lake Superior

Any advice on the optimal tension using the Loos gauge for the shrouds (upper & lower) and backstay for a CD 30 Cutter?

demers@sgi.com

[Michael K]

On DeLaMer, we tension to about the 1/3 mark on the Loos gauge. (whatever the number it displays is..I cannot recall it precisely now).
In the past, we have tensioned to the midrange of the gauge, but it bought us nothing, and was more work, while the rig was under higher continuous tension. So we tried a little less this year, and it worked well, with no differences from the high tension settings of last year.
The main trick is get the mast truly upright and centered between the shrouds, and then tension *equally* on all opposing stays. The mast must be straight, in column, and centered under all sail loads. The lee shrouds should just become detensioned when beating into a 15 kt wind. This means they all will be equally loose and just free enough to move with the boat motion...barely. That, as well as equal sailing performance on each tack, is the desired feedback for a properly setup mast.

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30 Lake Superior

Any advice on the optimal tension using the Loos gauge for the shrouds (upper & lower) and backstay for a CD 30 Cutter?

Larry, I too loosened my stays this season(sounds a bit strange, but oh well,. You're right. As long as the mast is straight and the bit of slack is on the leeward stays on a beat, Moonbow performs as good or better than having everything really tight. I'm thinking this might be a bit easier on the equipment as long as isn't too loose.
Michael Kelsey
SV Moonbow,
CD30, Leech Lake



kelseys@paulbunyan.net

[Larry DeMers]

Michael,

I see you are on Leech Lake..as in that wonderful source of all happiness for Walleye fishermen in the upper midwest?? As in northern Minnesota type Leech Lake? You have your CD30 up there? Superior! What a great lake to sail on..and you get tired of sailing, catch your dinner and relaxe!

Folks that wonder what this old coot is raving about...Leech lake is a large, shallow freshwater lake in northern Minnesota. It is the nirvana of practicaly 75% of the state of Minn. and about 50% of Wisconsin cheesyheads (me) when it comes to fishing opener in the spring. I wish I had a foot extra boat length for every year I was on that lake for the Opener..snow or rain, wind or cold..30 years worth of openers at least I have been up there. jeesh, I would have a fairly large Cape Dory then...hmm.


Anyway...welcome!

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30 on Lake Superior at Bayfield, WI.

On DeLaMer, we tension to about the 1/3 mark on the Loos gauge. (whatever the number it displays is..I cannot recall it precisely now).
In the past, we have tensioned to the midrange of the gauge, but it bought us nothing, and was more work, while the rig was under higher continuous tension. So we tried a little less this year, and it worked well, with no differences from the high tension settings of last year.
The main trick is get the mast truly upright and centered between the shrouds, and then tension *equally* on all opposing stays. The mast must be straight, in column, and centered under all sail loads. The lee shrouds should just become detensioned when beating into a 15 kt wind. This means they all will be equally loose and just free enough to move with the boat motion...barely. That, as well as equal sailing performance on each tack, is the desired feedback for a properly setup mast.

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30 Lake Superior

Any advice on the optimal tension using the Loos gauge for the shrouds (upper & lower) and backstay for a CD 30 Cutter?

Larry, I too loosened my stays this season(sounds a bit strange, but oh well,. You're right. As long as the mast is straight and the bit of slack is on the leeward stays on a beat, Moonbow performs as good or better than having everything really tight. I'm thinking this might be a bit easier on the equipment as long as isn't too loose.
Michael Kelsey
SV Moonbow,
CD30, Leech Lake

demers@sgi.com

[Scott]

I have set it at the gauge advice of 12% break strength, about 20 on the gauge for the two lower stays.

The top stays are at 35, also 12%. Back stay 35, 12%

It all seems a little loose, waiting for the wind.:


On DeLaMer, we tension to about the 1/3 mark on the Loos gauge. (whatever the number it displays is..I cannot recall it precisely now).

In the past, we have tensioned to the midrange of the gauge, but it bought us nothing, and was more work, while the rig was under higher continuous tension. So we tried a little less this year, and it worked well, with no differences from the high tension settings of last year.
The main trick is get the mast truly upright and centered between the shrouds, and then tension *equally* on all opposing stays. The mast must be straight, in column, and centered under all sail loads. The lee shrouds should just become detensioned when beating into a 15 kt wind. This means they all will be equally loose and just free enough to move with the boat motion...barely. That, as well as equal sailing performance on each tack, is the desired feedback for a properly setup mast.

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30 Lake Superior

Any advice on the optimal tension using the Loos gauge for the shrouds (upper & lower) and backstay for a CD 30 Cutter?

ssantoro1@attbi.com

[Michael K]

Larry,
You're right. You can catch walleyes on Leech Lake. Here's a web site of the marina I'm in. Nice family spot. Great sailing. One other Cape Dory, a 23'. You're welcome for a tour. www.shoresofleechlake.com
Michael
SV Moonbow
CD 30
Leech Lake, Mn.

Michael,

I see you are on Leech Lake..as in that wonderful source of all happiness for Walleye fishermen in the upper midwest?? As in northern Minnesota type Leech Lake? You have your CD30 up there? Superior! What a great lake to sail on..and you get tired of sailing, catch your dinner and relaxe!

Folks that wonder what this old coot is raving about...Leech lake is a large, shallow freshwater lake in northern Minnesota. It is the nirvana of practicaly 75% of the state of Minn. and about 50% of Wisconsin cheesyheads (me) when it comes to fishing opener in the spring. I wish I had a foot extra boat length for every year I was on that lake for the Opener..snow or rain, wind or cold..30 years worth of openers at least I have been up there. jeesh, I would have a fairly large Cape Dory then...hmm.


Anyway...welcome!

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30 on Lake Superior at Bayfield, WI.

On DeLaMer, we tension to about the 1/3 mark on the Loos gauge. (whatever the number it displays is..I cannot recall it precisely now).
In the past, we have tensioned to the midrange of the gauge, but it bought us nothing, and was more work, while the rig was under higher continuous tension. So we tried a little less this year, and it worked well, with no differences from the high tension settings of last year.
The main trick is get the mast truly upright and centered between the shrouds, and then tension *equally* on all opposing stays. The mast must be straight, in column, and centered under all sail loads. The lee shrouds should just become detensioned when beating into a 15 kt wind. This means they all will be equally loose and just free enough to move with the boat motion...barely. That, as well as equal sailing performance on each tack, is the desired feedback for a properly setup mast.

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30 Lake Superior

Larry, I too loosened my stays this season(sounds a bit strange, but oh well,. You're right. As long as the mast is straight and the bit of slack is on the leeward stays on a beat, Moonbow performs as good or better than having everything really tight. I'm thinking this might be a bit easier on the equipment as long as isn't too loose.
Michael Kelsey
SV Moonbow,
CD30, Leech Lake

Mkelsey@kelseysasyoulikeit.com