[Rhodes22-list] 175 and backstay tension

[Stephen Staum]

Shawn,

I lost a brand new forestay (1st season, I think) by keeping the shrouds 
loose while not sailing.  Afterward, my rigger and shroud maker taught me 
that the strength of these shrouds is in tension.  If you leave them loose, 
they flex more and can break prematurely.  I do not have a gage, but keep 
reasonable sailing tension on all shrouds at all times.  Haven't lost one 
since.

Stephen Staum
s/v Carol Lee 2
Needham, MA

-----Original Message----- 
From: Shawn Boles
Sent: Saturday, June 08, 2013 4:30 PM
To: The Rhodes 22 Email List
Subject: [Rhodes22-list] 175 and backstay tension

Hi All:

Well Fern Ridge has been slow to fill but Sweet Baboo is finally in the
water. I have 3 questions for the group:

1. To alleviate lee helm on 175 I moved the head stay tang pin to its 3rd
position from the 4th. (i.e., lengthened it by one position to increase
mast rake). What position do others use?

2. I worry about pulling the back stay tension lines too hard. What is the
distance between the beckets that most people use. Last year I set it at
37". This year, with the changed mast rake, it is at 27" for a really tight
rig. Am I over stressing things?

3. I read that some owners slack the back stay tension when not sailing. I
wonder whether tightening and loosening the tension might stress theb oat
more than leaving it tight for the season. What do others think?

Cheers,
Shawn
s/v Sweet Baboo (recycled 86)
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