Standing rigging and mast questions.

[Bernita Schutte]

Since last winter's blasts in the boat storage yard, the mast of our CD25 has a slight bend to starboard above the spreaders. We have not been able to correct it completely by adjusting the tension of the shrouds. Any suggestions? Or just let it be? Also, one day when affected by oppressive heat, we accidentally untwisted two stays. This was corrected about a week later before we sailed again. Would there be some lasting damage, for instance, at the top of the stay? The backstay was disconnected from the turnbuckle while we were working with it, but we got it reattached quickly.



bschutte@hotmail.com

[John Friday]

Since last winter's blasts in the boat storage yard, the mast of our CD25 has a slight bend to starboard above the spreaders. We have not been able to correct it completely by adjusting the tension of the shrouds. Any suggestions?

If you can see a noticable bend in the mast with the rigging loose (and apparently on your boat you can) any amount of extra tightening on the rigging to correct the bend will overstress the rigging and/or the chainplates. Sailing your boat as it is in anything but the lightest of wind conditions will sooner or later bring the whole rig down in your lap. The same thing goes for keeping the standing rigging that has at some point been unwound. If you want to check into a replacement spar, check with the folks at Rig-Rite in New England. I think you can find their address and phone number on the Internet. Don't forget to specify that you want the spar anodized. You'll probaby need to be prepared to stroke a pretty big check, but the trade-off will be that you and your crew will sleep (and sail) more soundly.

Best of Luck,

John Friday
Custom Yacht Service, Inc
Irvington, Va 22480



customyacht@rivnet.net

[chuck yahrling]

Since last winter's blasts in the boat storage yard, the mast of our CD25 has a slight bend to starboard above the spreaders. We have not been able to correct it completely by adjusting the tension of the shrouds. Any suggestions? Or just let it be? Also, one day when affected by oppressive heat, we accidentally untwisted two stays. This was corrected about a week later before we sailed again. Would there be some lasting damage, for instance, at the top of the stay? The backstay was disconnected from the turnbuckle while we were working with it, but we got it reattached quickly.

A friend had a similar problem with the mast on his O'Day 28. Turned out the spreader boots and tape had clapped on to the one main shroud something fierce. He loosened the boots, detensioned the whole rig (including fore and aft stays) and the mysterious bend disappeared. I doubt anything short of something falling into yours could permanently damage your mast, assuming it stayed up all winter. If it was stored in a rack it could have been accidently bent, though.

The key is to completely detension everything....



yahrling@cybertours.com