Mast bend

[tsmyth]

I have a Boomaroo 22, which is a Catalina 22 in the US and I believe is a Jaguar 22 in the UK.

I have just read the classs rules and I find that it is pointed out that "It is important that the mast is set up with a 2" to 6" bend forward at the spreaders depending on the shape of your main and the wind strength".

Now, I am far from being an expert on rigging, but it seems to me that what I have read in other publications suggests that a mast should be bent toward the stern to flatten the sail.

I am now confused.

What do you experts think?

Ray

 

[William_H]

high Ray No the mast is bent forward to flatten the mainsail by effectively pulling the rag outwards at the middle. A bend middle aft of the mast would feed more rag into the sail and provide more bagginess (camber).
I reckon 2 inches on a mast heaed rig your size would be max you could acheive and 6 inches too much. it takes a lot of inner forestay tension against strong backstay tension to get that kind of bend. Have you got a straight mast yet. regards olewill

 

[tsmyth]

High olewill.

What you say makes sense.

I took "bend forward at the spreaders" to mean that the top of the mast should be bent forward (i.e., the opposite effect).

Perhaps I have been silly and the meaning is that the mast should "belly" forward at the spreaders (i.e., the top toward the stern). Would that be correct?

I have just received a couple of quotes for a new mast so I can now send these to the insurer.

On the other hand, rather than getting a new straight mast, perhaps I should insert a hinge at the spreaders (where the mast broke) to allow for bending.

Regards,

Ray

 

[alanporter]

Hello Ray
I can understand your confusion. What the recommendation means is that you place the mast straight up with the forestay and backstay, then you produce a bowed forward effect in the middle by tightening the forward lower shrouds, or the baby stay, if that is how your boat is rigged. This effectively shortens the mast with respect to the fore and back stays, so they may need slight adjustment after you have produced the bend.
Good luck with your job, and I hope you have enjoyable sailing.

Alan
Victoria
Canada

 

[William_H]

High Ray funny you should mention a hinge in the mast. A boat I sail on occasionally is a Farr40. he has just had a hinge fitted in his mast just above the cabin top. it is a keel stepped mast. as you can imagine we are talking 400kg and 50 odd foot of mast. He had it replaced by crane so still hasn't actually lowered the mast on the hinge. As will be required to pass the Fremantle traffic bridges. That will be a scary type day for the first occasion considering he has rod rigging to disconnect.
Any way good luck with your new mast. regards olewill

 

[Lakesailor]

Perhaps some photos of the occassion?