[Rhodes22-list] Question about mast orientation and pointing

[ROGER PIHLAJA]

Hi Bob,

The easiest way to check mast vertical plumb is with a halyard or topping lift from the masthead.  Pull the line tight on starboard side, mark it, and then do the same on port side.  If the two lines lengths are the same; then the mast is vertically plum port/starboard.

It’s more likely your new aft lower shroud has pulled the mast out of column.  Actually, all 4 lower shrouds interact, so what I mean is the tension on the new shroud is not the same as the old shroud.  To check this, run the halyard down the aft side of the mast.  Pull the line taut and then sight up the line.  The gap between the line and the mast should be even all the way up and down.  If not; then, your mast has been bent out of column.  This is very bad for your IMF mainsail.  To fix this condition, loosen all the turnbuckles on the lower sidestays.  With the lower sidestays loose, check if the mast is in column.  If not, you have a bent mast, which is much harder to fix.  If it’s bent more than an inch out of column, replace the mast.  Tighten the lower sidestays evenly until they are taut and the mast is not bent out of column.  I like to use a Loo’s Rig Tension Gage for this adjustment.  If your mast was slightly bent, you may be able to tune the small bend out with aft lower shroud tension.  This adjustment is a bit artsy crafty, so have patience.  Fortunately, the Rhodes 22 hull and rig are so stout; that, once you get it adjusted, it should hold.  Now go sailing and see if your port and starboard tacking angles aren’t equal.

Roger Pihlaja
S/V Dynamic Equilibrium

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From: Bob Garrant<mailto:bgarrant at gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, August 20, 2023 3:36 PM
To: The Rhodes 22 Email List<mailto:rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Question about mast orientation and pointing

My Rhodes 2000/2017 points higher on a port tack 35°-45°.
On a starboard tack 50°-60° is all I can usually get to. This started after
I replaced the aft lower shroud on the starboard side.

I’m suspect that that mast is not vertically plumb. So I’m assuming the I
need to lengthen the post shrouds and shorten the starboard ones.

Just figured I would ask before I go through the exercise since I taped up
the shrouds at the base to prevent the jib sheets from getting hung up
there. Which always seemed to happened while I was solo sailing.
Appreciate the wisdom of you that have ‘been there, done that’, got the
T-shirt.
Thanks,
Bob Garrant
Sail la Vie
Kent Island,MD



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