Hey guys,
I was lucky enough to have Santa bring me some new sails for Xmas, so I've been thinking of getting my rig tuned. Partly to take advantage of the new sails, but mostly because I haven't the foggiest whether everything is setup properly.
Thing is, I've no idea on who much it'd cost. My boat is a pretty basic beast, which has been rescued from the indignity of being a mooring minder, so it's got all manner of things wrong with it. And I've got a wife who hates me spending any time or money on it.
So I'm wondering if it's the sort of thing that's going to cost megabucks or a couple of hundred. I'm prepared for there to be plenty of problems found once a professional looks the boat over (no doubt shaking his head in horror at what I've got), but what I'd like in the end is a list of smaller issues that I can slowly work through over time (spreading out costs & worktime), rather than a "you need to replace everything with this brand new stuff I sell" sort of response.
Any ideas on what I'd be up for?
Cheers
EDIT: Sorry, should've said, boat's near Drummoyne/Balmain.
Select to expand quotePlaneray said..
And I've got a wife who hates me spending any time or money on it.
You too!!!!!
With rig tuning there is nothing much to worry about. There is a device called a Loos tension gauge for $250 and associated instructional videos on YouTube. The Compass forum has it for hire to members with a link to the video(s): sites.google.com/site/compassyachtgroup/loos-rig-tensioner
The gauge will help you tune your existing rig. Whether that highlights improvements in hardware is unknown, but you can make the most of what you have (i.e. get correct tension on existing rig) and only later think about budgeting for renewing the rig and sails. I have a 28' yacht, and renewing all my standing rigging, i.e. the wires to the mast, cost about $1800. That was nine wires (4 inner stays, 2 backstays, 2 side stays and forestay), with some pulleys renewed, etc. I did the inner 4 stays myself out of galvanised wire and used an $80 swage tool from Bunnings. The rest the boatyard man did. Cranage was $150 each way extra, as I left the mast horizontal for a few weeks while he did the work.
Some people do advocate for galvanised rigging on the basis of cost, and DIY, but with the trade-off that you need to renew it within ten years, whereas the usual route of stainless rigging will last up to 15 years. Your choice and your budget. I could get shot down for suggesting galvanised rigging, but I have done it several times, but on rigging up to 5mm diameter. For a 26 and then 28 foot yacht.
Sails can cost up to $2600 for a furling genoa for the above yacht, or can be cheaper using Fareast Sails in HongKong. Otherwise some 2nd hand sails are available on Ebay, etc.
The rest of your yacht can be done bit by bit as funds and time become available, and as you see the need for improvement.
I recently had my rig tuned on my 34' Jeanneau by On Deck Rigging who operate from The Quays Marina on Pittwater.
Mark came aboard, inspected all the standing and running rigging, re-tensioned the shrouds (using a firm hand grip as a gauge) and declared us good to go.
Cost? $99 including GST.
I found the SELDEN rigging PDF online very helpful, with good practical
information that should apply to all rig types, maybe excepting the exotics..
it explains how to tension your stays with a two foot rule, with calculations for wire stretch for percentage of breaking strain.
cheers Richard
I was impressed with how the rigger tuned my new standing rigging. I think he grew up playing bass. Mast supported briefly by crane, shrouds attached. Rears stays all finger tight. I attached the forestay - after all, if it goes, it won't helpful at sea to blame him.
A very focused tightening of upper and lower shrouds. He shook them, played them, climbed the mast free style so see how it felt, told me to tighten rear stays if it didnt point upwind ok, had a beer then left. Two years later, all still seems good.
I'd previously thought about buying a Loos gauge... not any more.
I have never had a rigger near any of my boats. They make my stays and then I put them on. Saves heaps. Ask around and work out what you need. For a masthead rig you might want half a mast section of forward prebend in the middle. You sight up the mast track as you wind the uppers and lowers on. Keep winding until it is the same as other sisterships - or use the Loos guage.
Forestay and backstay are about forestay sag and balance. A rigger won;t go out and check the balance of the boat with you. If you like the balance you have now, drop a plumb bob from the masthead and measure the rake. If your jib is too full wind on some backstay. If you get too much rake wind on some forestay.
Just worked out that you have a Soling - keep the rigger well clear. The backstay and forestay are super adjustable and really needed to bend that mast to buggery in big breezes. Read this
cfd.northsails.com/sailing/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/08134937/north-soling-tuningguide.pdf
Never raced Solings but did lost of sailing instructing in them. Love that flexy rig, you gotta learn about backstays, the traveller and changing gears. Like playing a beautiful instrument if you get it right.
cheers
Phil
