Adjusting standing rigging?

[russab]

Recently when sailing on broad/beam reach with fairly strong wind (1 reef in) I noticed that the lee side rigging was very loose - basically bowing in a loop.

I didnt fancy my chances going up on deck in a lumpy see to try and tighten the rigging so I thought I would wait until I got into port.

However when safely tied up I had a good pull on all the rigging lines and they all seem perfectly taught and all the same tension - as fare as I can tell.

Should I nevertheless tighten the rigging? - if so how do I know by how much?

 

[Fr J Hackett]

No, because when you change tacks you will find the same of the other side and if you continue to adjust you will eventually pull whatever your rigging is connected to off its attatchment points. You may need to have general check on the rigging to ensure that it is equally and correctly tensioned but on no account tension up the lee side rigging when it slackens off.

Try and get hold of a copy of the free Seldon handbook that will explain how and why to adjust your standing rigging.

 

[Norman_E]

Selden Rigging Instructions are downloadable in pdf format from this web page

http://www.seldenmast.com/frameset.cfm?id=6740&randnum=949893008

 

[russab]

Thanks gentlemen/

I will read the instructions