Shroud tension

Posted By: Jay Levy - Indianapolis, IN 5.2 #35
Date: 2/8/08 11:42a.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

In Response To: shroud tension (Bernard Atkinson)

There is no "official" figure that I'm aware of for the proper tension. The original owner's manual suggested that "the shrouds be fastened by the 7th hole of shroud tensioner to the chainplates and that the forestay be fairly tight". No numbers were given. Ethan Bixby at North Sails suggested the 200 lb. number. The exact length of all of the standing rigging is known and can be found, I believe, at rigrite.com. The fact that yours are different from each other is a concern however. They should be the same - whatever the number is. Check the lengths and the attachment points. Something is wrong. Ultimately, the only thing that matters is how the boat handles. Once the shrouds are even, and the forestay tight, sail the boat and see if it feels comfortably balanced (slight weather helm). If the boat has too much or too little helm (when the sails are trimmed properly and the crew weight in the boat is at the beam) you can adjust the forestay. Keep in mind when doing all this, that the Harpoon is not a high-tech racing boat, where things like this can make a big difference!