Rig Tension Gauges.

[Daydream believer]

The full description of how to do this is explained clearly in Selden'a Hints and Advice document which you can download free from their website. It actually describes the whole process of setting up your rig from scratch using their folding rule method which is based on the Youngs Modulus of the wire to achieve a fixed percentage of UTS, regardless of diameter. They call it the folding rule method, because that's what they use rather than a tae measure and it's actually more accurate than most gauges. You do need a vernier gauge to measure the extension you achieve as well as the folding rule. I actually find a metre long dowel easier for the job than the folding rule, simply because it doesn't fold at inconvenient times.

Link to the Selden document:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwi6guHK3MiKAxUdzQIHHVlJHT0QFnoECBUQAQ&url=https://support.seldenmast.com/files/595-540-E.pdf&usg=AOvVaw1QvcnmY8kOsqoByMsQNFx5&opi=89978449

Peter.

Is it really the actual tension %, or the relationship between each shroud,(particularly on factional rigs) & repeatability throughout the life of the rigging that matters?

 

[oldbloke]

Coming from a dinghy and small keelboat background I have my reservations about the stretching method of rig tension, I am sure that for the average AWB with the average rig it is a reasonable proxy for a ballpark figure. As soon as you stray to anything slightly different , stiff boat, floppy boat, oversized shrouds etc etc the relevance diminishes rapidly. It also takes you away from what you are trying to achieve, jib luff curve, mast bend, gust response, mast stability etc etc

 

[merjan]

I bought a Loos good gauge in America significantly cheaper than the lowest deal here in the UK. If you are due a visit, or know someone travelling soon, it might be worth checking the market other side of the Pond.

 

[Sandy]

I bought a Loos good gauge in America significantly cheaper than the lowest deal here in the UK. If you are due a visit, or know someone travelling soon, it might be worth checking the market other side of the Pond.

No plans for crossing to the US of A in the medium term. Out of interest was it a metric or imperial measurements?

 

[merjan]

No plans for crossing to the US of A in the medium term. Out of interest was it a metric or imperial measurements?

Both were available. I got a metric one.