Rig conversion

[Javelin]

Have been looking at a MGRS34.

Essentially a racer with a little bit of cruising.
I want to reverse this to cruiser with a bit of racing.

The major issue is the rig uses runners or running backstays.
So conversion to a mast with a single conventional backstay would require a new mast no doubt, unless you know different ??
Would aft lowers do the trick?

Any ideas what sort of money a new mast is for a typical 34 footer.

 

[halyardmonkey.]

It is totally possible... There is a MG with a converted rig on the hard at Warsash. it looked like a very nice job done. I can't remember the name of the boat now but someone will know down there.
You should also try to track down the owner of Hullabaloo on the East Coast- Burnham I think. He has done the same thing to a SJ32. He actually made the quicker in the process. A different boat I now but he can explain how to do it in great detail.
There is quite a bit of work to do I think. Its not only a new rig but you also have to move the chain plates to accommodate the new rig....

 

[merlin3688]

Any ideas what sort of money a new mast is for a typical 34 footer.? The Z Spar site may help, just gives you an idea of costs.

http://www.zsparsuk.com/web prices 2012.pdf

 

[wotayottie]

I think it was something round the 5k to 6k mark on a DIY fittings basis about 2 years ago, but in your case you would also need new standing rigging.

I suggest you talk to someone like Allspars. I would have thought your mast could be converted. The reason for the running stays will be the position of the forestay where it meets the mast so you would need some sort of diamond stay to make the top part of the mast rigid enough to take a normal backstay. I guess!

 

[Mark Taylor]

I wouldn't be so worried about the runners......I have a GK34 with in-line spreaders, runners and check stays so very similar to the MG34. Most of my sailing is singlehanded or with my 16 year old lad. Tacking isn't and issue as just before putting the helm ove, helmsman drops to leeward side, pulls in the slack on the runner self-trailer and puts a handle in winch. As the boat tacks there is plenty of time to give a few quick pumps of the winch handle to take up the slack. By the time my genoa is in and being trimmed the last few inches the new leeward runner is being dropped off a few feet, with a couple of lose turns on the winch to stop the rest of the runner tail easing out.

I did think of changing the rig when I was buying the boat but once you have runners you realise it's no hassle upwind and down wind it's a joy........A days cruising in Scotland can see me with the boom either out on a broad reach or dead running. In-line spreaders are a joy, no spreaders poking holes in the sail or distorting the shape.

Hardest bit of runners is the heavy wind gybe. There are a few cheats that reduce the pain. Before gybing flick the runner out from behind the boom and get as much slack taken up before the gybe. Means you have a while during which the runner is distorting the mainsail leach, but its worth it to reduce the amount of rope to pull in. Centre the main, leave it cleated with boat dead down wind, surprising how much support the mainsheet tight gives to the mast. Finish tightening up the new runner, the. Drop off the old one then let out the mainsail on the new gybe........it really isn't an issue unless there is an extreme sea running. Biggest issue is sailing dead down wind and its surprising how many people think they do, but really they are just very broad reachers!

This year i have hit the life on the rod rigging so obviously that is being changed and I am taking the opportunity to change the wire runners and check stays for Dyneema, which will reduce the impact on the mainsail leach when I pre-load the leeward runner before gybing.

So..........don't be too worried about the runners, enjoy the improved upwind performance, better downwind performance and no need to leave the boat with rigging at middle c just to make sure the forestay isn't sagging off too much.

 

[Javelin]

Mark, and others, thanks for your comments.

So a First Class 10 can be a cruiser after all !!

I guess I'm suffering from bad memories racing 1 tonners back in the early 80's with Harrold Cudmore and others screaming at the poor guys on the runners.
Glad I managed to miss that job, although I did find them a pain when I raced a Dragon a few years back.

OK maybe I'll not automatically ignore boats with runners from now on, many thanks.

btw - I looked quite hard at the GK34 at HERE
but the 6'7" draft is a bit too much for round these parts.

 

[Tomahawk]

Don't forget that hand tight is enough to keep the mast upright.. after that it is tuning and performance..