Forestay Tension on Roller Reefing System

[Little Dorrit]

I have become aware that the forestay on a Vancouver 27 with roller reefing, Shrouds (cap, forward and inner), permanent inner stay and dual backstays had about 6 inches of sideways movement when pushed or pulled firmly.

Following a conversation with a local rigger, I slackened off all the shrouds and the inner forestay. I then tightened the backstays to the available limit (I don't have a Loos) and after tightened the shrouds again the forestay roller reefing tension improved quite a bit and now has about 4 inches each way with a good pull to port or starboard.

This may well be acceptable, I don't know, but it would be good to have some advice and I would appreciate your expert opinion. If my set up is not acceptable I have the option of increasing the backstay tension by shortening the bacsktays (easy) or shortening the forestay (expensive) - there does not appear to be excessive mast rake.

Any suggestions appreciated.

 

[neil_s]

I would suggest you go for a sail. If the forestay tension is adequate, your foresail tell-tales will all fly or lift together. As an example, my own boat has rather deficient forestay tension, consequently, the foresail has a bit too much 'belly' and the middle tell-tale lifts before the other two if you luff up.

 

[sailor211]

There are some figures for extension of the wire versus load. Cannot remember them but used to tape a ruler to the fixed point and marked wire thus able to measure the tension load . Google should give you the figures

 

[VicS]

There are some figures for extension of the wire versus load. Cannot remember them but used to tape a ruler to the fixed point and marked wire thus able to measure the tension load . Google should give you the figures

In the Selden " Hints and advice" pdf

http://www.seldenmast.com/files/1416926327/595-540-E.pdf

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

There are many ways of adjusting the tensions of all the rigging but it would be so much easier and more accurate if you could use a tension gauge.

 

[Seajet]

A backstay tensioner would help, though it's not exactly a flexible rig.

 

[Steve The Seagull]

Go sailing - When going upwind in a medium breeze sight up the forestay, if there is more than about 200mm of forestay sag then yes increase tension.

Remember doing one thing always affects others. More forestay means better pointing but a smaller groove to sail in. Less forestay means more power but less pointing.

 

[DJE]

I then tightened the backstays to the available limit

Not sure what you mean by that. Is the bottlescrew now fully closed? If so you might need to shorten the stay unless there is a spare toggle somewhere that you can take out. (I had two toggles at the bottom of my backstay and had to remove one of them to allow me to get enough tension on the rig). You can measure the tension easily by the "folding ruler method" described in this thread:
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?226784-Rigging-question-Selden-folding-rule-technique
Also a good guide from Selden here:
http://www.seldenmast.com/files/1456145028/595-540-E.pdf
Which includes the "folding rule method".