Santana 21 Rig Tuning

Posted By: Glen / S-21 "Winterdream"
Date: 5/13/08 8:08a.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

In Response To: Santana 21 Rig Tuning (Keay)

What tuning guide are you referring to?? This is a 7/8 rig boat... they are known for their mast bend. I adjust the back stay to get about a 1/3 "mast bend"... that is the forward central area of the mast is projecting 1/3 of the mast dimension forward of a vertical line from mast top to mast base. But then I also have aft lowers, which I adjust last... and tighten them to remove most (but not all) of the above-mentioned mast bend. If I didn't have the aft lowers, there would be more mast bend... and I probably would leave the backstay just a little looser. The mast will bend during a puff, and flattens the sail in the process, partial de-powering it. It gives the boat good handling characteristics, especially for the casual sailor. I don't see the permanent loosening of the shroud lines after a day of sailing. I might see a little between the initial adjustments, and after some hours, or days, of sailing (I leave my boat in the slip all season). I believe the hull assumes a slightly different shape after being stressed and relaxed a few times. I really notice the difference between on-board-the-trailer, vs being afloat in the water. I never tighten rigging on the trailer, and I relax the rigging, or drop the mast, before pulling the boat out. The hull does shift its shape a bit due to the difference in support pressure distribution when comparing water flotations vs trailer bunks.