[2574]
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Does anyone take a couple of turns off the bottle screws for the winter period to lessen the tension on the hull? I've heard this discussed but it doesn't seem to be widespread practice.....unless you know otherwise?
Loosen rigging whilst out of commission?
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wotayottie
Well-Known Member
sail through the winter and if I didnt and the boat was out of the water, the mast would be down. But its probably a reasonable idea to reduce tension a bit - cant see how it can do any harm. Not sure it achieves any good.
dt4134
Well-Known Member
I've been told by more than one rigger that loose rigging is more likely to suffer fatigue, so I'd be wary of doing it. If you're that concerned, unstep the mast.
Refueler
Well-Known Member
It's 6 of one and half dozen the other.
Not slacked a touch - leads to deformity or stress on hull as it's not overall supported as in water. Slack a touch and mast can move while boat remains still. Also rigging can work more leading to fatigue at talurit / swage terminal joints etc.
Not slacked a touch - leads to deformity or stress on hull as it's not overall supported as in water. Slack a touch and mast can move while boat remains still. Also rigging can work more leading to fatigue at talurit / swage terminal joints etc.
bbg
Well-Known Member
In my completely uninformed opinion - don't touch it. Your rigging, if adjusted properly, will never break your boat. Easing it could lead to fatigue / wear and ultimately rigging failure, as others have said.
lw395
Well-Known Member
I used to reduce the tension a little before having the boat craned. Not slack by any means, just get rid of some preload.
The boat is bound to distort a little as it is lifted.
Also it does mean the rigging screws are not left to seize for another season.
I think it is a good idea to make sure the rigging is not vibrating in strong winds, tying off spare halyards with light rope to the shrouds will damp vibration to some extent.
After launching, lube the bottlescrews and re-tension while sailing.
Probably not necessary with a cruising rig.
Funny how boats never come with any guidance on this sort of thing, and its not exactly on any RYA syllabus I've seen!
The boat is bound to distort a little as it is lifted.
Also it does mean the rigging screws are not left to seize for another season.
I think it is a good idea to make sure the rigging is not vibrating in strong winds, tying off spare halyards with light rope to the shrouds will damp vibration to some extent.
After launching, lube the bottlescrews and re-tension while sailing.
Probably not necessary with a cruising rig.
Funny how boats never come with any guidance on this sort of thing, and its not exactly on any RYA syllabus I've seen!
Marsupial
Well-Known Member
It depends . . .
If the boat is in the water leave it alone
If the boat is in a cradle ashore then all sorts of things will happen to the shape of the hull and rigging could end up overtightened. The good news is it will (might or should) return to normal when the boat is relaunched.
As others have said loose rigging is more prone to problems and wear than tight rigging but if the boat is out on the hard for a length of time - unstep the mast.
If the boat is in the water leave it alone
If the boat is in a cradle ashore then all sorts of things will happen to the shape of the hull and rigging could end up overtightened. The good news is it will (might or should) return to normal when the boat is relaunched.
As others have said loose rigging is more prone to problems and wear than tight rigging but if the boat is out on the hard for a length of time - unstep the mast.