how to tighten up mast wires!

Hey guys, just a quick question! after raising my mast, what is the best way to put tension on the mast wires for tightning up! talked to a guy the other day and he said use the boom. I cant figure that one out!

diamond wires or shrouds?

I'm assuming he's talking about the shrouds since those are the wires that need to be tightened after stepping the mast. To tighten the diamond wires, you simply loosen the lock nuts, turn the turnbuckle, and then re-tighten the lock nuts.

There are two ways to tighten the shrouds on an 18. The first and easiest way is to simply have one person grab onto the trapeze handles and hang down so the shroud goes slack. Then the other person removes the clevis pin from the shroud adjuster, moves the shroud to the desired hole and re-installs the clevis pin. The person holding the trap wires can then let go.

The second way to tighten the shrouds is to use the mainsheet system and boom. This technique comes in handy if you're rigging the boat by yourself. Connect the boom to the gooseneck and install the mainsheet system onto the boom and traveler car. Then connect the main halyard ring to the aft end of the boom (clew connection). Hoist the boom up using the halyard so it is about 3 feet above the rear crossbar. Securely tie off the main halyard to the mast. Then push the boom and traveler car over to the side of the boat you want to tighten. Sheet in the mainsheet until the shroud goes slack. Cleat off the mainsheet and ensure that the traveler doesn't slide inboard. Adjust the shroud and then release the mainsheet. Push the boom over and repeat on the other side.

sm

I use the trap wires myself. Just put on the trusty harness and your good to go.

I use the mainsheet also, but do it with the main sail instead of halyard.

_________________
Bruce
78 Hobie 18
#1159

I've done it this way too, just make sure it's not very windy, and wind direction is constant.

If you're using the main sail & sheets say a gust hits, also clocking around 40-60 degrees, your boat will start to fly a hull, or worse yet blow over, so having the main sheet in your "free" hand is a good idea to release the main, but wait...

If you've got the shroud pin out, and not yet in the proper hole, releasing the main sheet means your whole rig's coming down

srm's method, or using weight on the trap wires, are the safest.

_________________
Sheet In...Max Out
www.fleet297.org
sailflatlands at gmail dot com

Using the mainsail is just an invitation for disaster. Yea, I've seen it done that way before, but certainly not worth the risk. If you're going to adjust the rig with the main up, then do so by having someone hang off the trap. At least that way you can keep mainsheet loose.

sm

SRM, You are the man. I followed your mainsail-less instructions earlier today (needed to loosen my shrouds and I didn't have help) and it worked like a charm. Thank you!