Rig tension gauge

[Gerry]

We have a 40 foot cutter, which we re-rigged five years ago with stay-loks. The rig had 7,8,9 and 10 mm wire. we standardised to 8 and 10mm (actually we couldn't get the intermediate sizes). We set the tension by feel and have crossed the Atlantic with it.

I am thinking of buying a Pro PT-3 M Loos & Co rigging tension gauge. But, at 130 pounds, these are not cheap.

Is this a good investment? Does anyone have any experience with them? Are there better gauges around?

 

[Vanilla]

Not seen one for real, and unfortunately even more expensive, is this one from Harken
Rig Tension Gauge

 

[fishermantwo]

I think there was a thread years ago about making your own. It seems to me to be one of those things some clever dick could design or adapt from something else. Something like the gadget I use to check the timing belt tension on my car. It is simply a tool that measures tension by measuring the twist in the belt. When the tension is correct a groove lines up in the face plate. Obviously you would have to make a tool for each shroud size. It would be best if it measured about a metre or so.

 

[Salty John]

And it only works on 2.5mm to 5mm wire!

 

[RestlessL]

Selden suggest an alternative way of checking rig tension - see p29 of this

J

 

[alan]

Yes, they work very well and are ideal as you can leave them "clipped" on the shroud whilst you make the adjustments. They come in two sizes depending on the wire size of your shrouds. Yes, they are expensive but I found a couple of mates and we clubbed together; you only use one a few times a year normally.

There is an alternative metod which involves measuring the stretch in the shroud when under tension; this is described in "Illustrated Sail and Rig Tuning" by Ivar Dedekam page 65. Please P.M. me with an e-mail address if you want me to scan the page and send it to you ............... no problem, as there will be no sailing today: 25Knts of wind and 2m of sea running!!!

Alan.

 

[Egbod]

Hi Beware these seem to be very inaccurate. Mine is out by 50%. I now know the value to use for my rig having checked it by using the measured stretch method. E

 

[Salty John]

That's interesting. Out by 50% of what?
Loos gauges are accurate to 5% for the standard tool and 3% for the Pro tool, at mid range.
The most common mistake when using the standard Loos gauge is to not pull the pointer back to the line on the scale; some users pull the pointer back only as far as the point where the shroud intersects the scale. (You can't make this error with the Pro model).