Raising the Mast - Guitar Tuner

[Mariner69]

I went to raise the mast the other day.

Exactly as we lowered it; the shrouds at the same tension since they were all behind the line of the mast. Up it went but it was too short at the front end.

Photographs of the set up were in the wrong computer so no reference available. Then dawned that some kind person had 'borrowed' the long shackle used to secure the rotostay.

Only problem was that by then we had loosened all the other shrouds to try and get it connected. Used a couple of blocks and some loose line to hold it while I went shopping at the 'ship thieves' to get a replacement shackle.

Went to fit it yesterday and was impressed by just how much a mast will rattle and move when held by slack shrouds especially since the yacht is on the blocks ashore.

New shackle fitted, all shrouds tightened somewhat. Now how tight should be tight? Does anybody know the tuning note for a plucked shroud? I have an electronic gizmo for tuning a guitar. What do you think, high C? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Toutvabien]

I am sure that we would all look for "C flat".

 

[FullCircle]

No, but a Loos gauge will tell you when the rig is tuned correctly. They are about 45 quid to buy, or borrow one
Failing that get a rigger in, as mast rake and pre bend will need setting up.

Or you can look in the knowledge base at Quantum sails, they are very good

http://www.quantumsails.com/kbase/kbase.aspx

 

[sarabande]

the frequency is a function of tension and length. So getting a C on a 5m dinghy forestay is a little different from a C on a 12 metre.

 

[FullCircle]

If you PM me with your email addy, i will send you the Selden full mast tuning PDF.

 

[Gargleblaster]

I can tell you that 6mm cap shrouds on my boat emit a thrum when plucked. My backstay emits a thrim and my 7mm inner shrouds emit a thruum. Any breeze over an F7 I can successfully play a full largo. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[AliM]

and a function of the weight of the wire. Ours thrum nicely and i have tried to use the note to ensure that the port and starboard stays are at the same tension. A turn of the bottlescrew makes a perceptable difference to the pitch, so it probably is feasible - if you know what you are doing in the first place!

 

[Mariner69]

Thank you all for your suggestions.

I was moaning about this to the chap and 'chapess' in charge of the One Stop Chandlery in Maldon and they have come up with a hire service for the Professional Tension Guage.

I will collect it this afternoon, read the instructions overnight and hopefully by tomorrow noon will be ready to play "The House of the Rising Sun" on my shrouds. Either that or buying new swaged shrouds and starting again /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

For once I am delighted to visit a chandlers. Benefits all around.