Standing Rigging Tensions and Vang??? C27 Poptop

Hi everyone! Does anyone know the recommended tensions for the Cal27 standing rigging? The stays are like noodles right now and I'd like to try and tune the rig before next weekend's race. Any suggestions? Also, the vang broke a few weeks back and I am wondering if there is a better way to set it up, other than the webbing to plates method the boat currently has. (Hope that made sense). Thanks again for all your help prior to the purchase. This boat is SWEET! She may not look like much right now, but she is sailing well and we are looking forward to ditching the self tending jib for a genoa in the near future. I am definitely a Cal person now!!! Susan

A Mast Tuning Guide - The Light Version Mast tuning is simple if you remember a couple of basic principles. If you understand these principles, you can tune just about any mast. The first principle, and probably the most important, concerns tuning the mast athwart ships. The diagonal shrouds, lowers and intermediates, always pull the mast to weather at the spreader where they terminate. The spreaders, on the other hand, due to the compression from the wires going over their tips, push the mast to leeward. In order to tune a mast, you need to establish a dynamic balance between "pull" of the diagonal and the "push" of the spreader. The second principle is that the length of the headstay controls the rake of the mast, i.e., the amount that the mast is aft of plumb in the boat. Masts, in general, should always have at least a small amount of rake, they are usually designed for one to two degrees of rake. The feel of the helm is the ultimate test of the rake. Making a mast more vertical will help weather helm and more rake will help to correct lee helm. This is a bit of a simplification, but after all this is the "light" version of mast tuning. The third principle is that most masts should have a slight "prebend" over their length with the headstay firm from a minimum of backstay load. Prebend can be visualized best by stretching the main halyard down the aft face of the mast. The maximum distance that the back of the mast is in front of the halyard is the prebend (you should take into account any offset that the position of the main halyard sheave causes). Prebend can be attained by tightening forward lowers, chocking the mast forward in the collar at the deck, moving the mast step aft (on a keel stepped mast), or lengthening the headstay. The amount of prebend varies from about 1" for a single spreader deck stepped mast to 6" for larger keel stepped spars. The last principle concerns the amount of tension in the rigging. As a general rule, when the rig is fully loaded up (top end of the #1), the leeward shrouds should be beginning to appear to slacken. They can be deflected by hand, but not swinging loose. This will approach optimum general rig tension for most normal boats. Individually the wire tensions should be higher in the lowers and uppers than in any of the intermediates. The tuning sequence that has worked the best for us is to start by centering the spar in the boat athwartships with the uppers. We tighten the uppers slightly. Next the lowers are adjusted so that the mast at the lower spreader is centered on the masthead. Sighting up the sail track is the best way to determine this. If the mast has multiple sets of spreaders, then the intermediates are adjusted next starting at the upper spreader. When the mast looks to be in column from the deck to the tip, then rig tension can be applied (chock the mast sideways and fore and aft now if it is a keel stepped mast- make sure the step position is correct for the required prebend). We add additional tension by adding equal numbers of turns to each side of the turnbuckles in the same sequence that we first used. Make sure that the turnbuckles are lubricated with heavy lubricant to prevent galling and damage to the threads. Check to see if additional adjusting of the shrouds is necessary as you add tension to the rig. Check the headstay to see if the rake of the mast is correct. Check the prebend. Tension the backstay and see if the mast remains straight under load. That should conclude the dock tune portion of the setup. A Few Hints 1. If the tip of your mast seems to fall off, and your uppers are fairly tight, try loosening the intermediates. 2. Check the rake of a mast by tying a heavy object to the main halyard and measuring the offset from the back of the mast. Subtract any sheave offset present. 3. Make sure to do the final tuning of the mast when sailing. Make sure that the mast remains straight athwart ships. Check that the mast bends forward in the center (the reason for prebend). 4. Check to make sure that the bottom of the mast is square athwart ships, and for a keel stepped mast that the mast is straight through the deck. If it is not, the mast will be forced into an S bend that is impossible to tune out. We usually tune a keel stepped mast with the deck chocks out and shim the mast sideways after the mast is straight athwart ships. Mast steps and mast collars are rarely exactly on the centerline of the boat. 5. Use a steel tape run up the pole lift or main halyard to get the mast vertical in the boat. 6. Always pin and tape turnbuckles and cotter pins after tuning. Be sure the cotter pins are taped so that the sharp ends are covered to protect people and sails. Well, there it is, twenty-five years of experience condensed into one and one-half pages. Now you should be ready to tackle tuning any mast. In fact, I hear there are some openings for riggers for the next America's Cup. Buzz Ballenger, Pres. Ballenger Spar Systems, Inc. From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Susan Ingram Sent: Sunday, June 17, 2007 2:11 PM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: [Cal_Boats] Standing Rigging Tensions and Vang??? C27 Poptop Hi everyone! Does anyone know the recommended tensions for the Cal27 standing rigging? The stays are like noodles right now and I'd like to try and tune the rig before next weekend's race. Any suggestions? Also, the vang broke a few weeks back and I am wondering if there is a better way to set it up, other than the webbing to plates method the boat currently has. (Hope that made sense). Thanks again for all your help prior to the purchase. This boat is SWEET! She may not look like much right now, but she is sailing well and we are looking forward to ditching the self tending jib for a genoa in the near future. I am definitely a Cal person now!!! Susan

Garhauer adjustable rigid vang. Love mine Reggie Cal 27 T/2 "Knot Ready" >From: "Susan Ingram" <su… [at] hotmail.com> >Reply-To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com >To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com >Subject: [Cal_Boats] Standing Rigging Tensions and Vang??? C27 Poptop >Date: Sun, 17 Jun 2007 20:11:05 -0000 > >Hi everyone! >Does anyone know the recommended tensions for the Cal27 standing >rigging? The stays are like noodles right now and I'd like to try and >tune the rig before next weekend's race. Any suggestions? > >Also, the vang broke a few weeks back and I am wondering if there is a >better way to set it up, other than the webbing to plates method the >boat currently has. (Hope that made sense). > >Thanks again for all your help prior to the purchase. This boat is >SWEET! She may not look like much right now, but she is sailing well >and we are looking forward to ditching the self tending jib for a >genoa in the near future. I am definitely a Cal person now!!! > >Susan > > Picture this � share your photos and you could win big! http://www.GETREALPhotoContest.com?ocid=TXT_TAGHM&loc=us

Reggie, With the Pop-Top, will there be enough clearance to add a rigid vang? I get most adjustments with the mainsheet and cunningham, using the regular vang (Schaefer) for downwind using the stanchion bases. Although I rarely sail with the top up, I do use it at the slip. Dave Leasia '72 Cal 27 pop-top "Candy Cane" --- In Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com, "r good" <my1972ih@...> wrote: > > Garhauer adjustable rigid vang. Love mine > Reggie > Cal 27 T/2 "Knot Ready" > >

Garhauer has soft vangs too... A nice reason to have a hard vang, is that it holds the boom up, when the main is dropped. If you have a topping lift, that can work also, to hold up the boom. I do not know whether your pop top will interfere...or not. dEmO From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Dave Leasia Sent: Sunday, June 17, 2007 8:59 PM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: [Cal_Boats] Re: Standing Rigging Tensions and Vang??? C27 Poptop vs t/2 Reggie, With the Pop-Top, will there be enough clearance to add a rigid vang? I get most adjustments with the mainsheet and cunningham, using the regular vang (Schaefer) for downwind using the stanchion bases. Although I rarely sail with the top up, I do use it at the slip. Dave Leasia '72 Cal 27 pop-top "Candy Cane" --- In Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com <mailto:Cal_Boats%40yahoogroups.com> , "r good" <my1972ih@...> wrote: > > Garhauer adjustable rigid vang. Love mine > Reggie > Cal 27 T/2 "Knot Ready" > >

Susan: Hi. I bought a CAL 27 T/2 (same as 27 pop top) a few years ago and re-rigged her for racing. I have many pictures available on web page if you are interested at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Elysium_/ Re: rigging...1. One post talks about setting up the rig. Some of the info is not applicable. The CAL mast can not be set up for pre bend, too stiff. 2. Depending on your headsail, jib vs. 155% genoa, the boat tends to need a straight mast ( no rake) , front to back and side to side it should be even. But a loos tension gauge on Ebay to check your upper and lower tensions to get them even side to side. Uppers tighter than lowers. When sailing the leeward lowers WILL go slack. That's normal for a fast boat. Also, I have a split backstay with a 4:1 purchase, easily adjustable by the helmsman. It will tighten the headstay for bettere pointing angle, but not bend the mast, per se. My boat is fast and races against some of the best sailors, Carl Eichenlaub, Dennis Conner, Vince Brun, etc. We race offshore mid distance regattas ( 30-50) miles and in the San Diego Bay (around the buoys) in the PHRF handicap fleet. I do about 40 races a season, we have a long season. I have had 13 races so, far this year with the exception of one fifth place, I have had 6 firsts and 6 second place finishes. Re: Boom Vang... My vang is a 4:1 block purchase system that has a cascade doubling the purchase to 8:1. I also have it double ended for use by the skipper on either tack, as it comes to where the skipper can reach it. I have 5 head sails and a Schafer Tuff Luff head foil track system for using two head sails or doing inside-out sail changes while racing. I am also rigged for symetrical spinnaker. Any question, just ask. I rebuilt mostly the whole boat, as I bought her for a dollar after she sunk! Bill

I can't say. I know one poptop here who chose to use a Boomkicker plus traditional vang Reggie >From: "Dave Leasia" <te… [at] yahoo.com> >Reply-To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com >To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com >Subject: [Cal_Boats] Re: Standing Rigging Tensions and Vang??? C27 Poptop >vs t/2 >Date: Mon, 18 Jun 2007 02:58:34 -0000 > >Reggie, > > With the Pop-Top, will there be enough clearance to add a rigid vang? >I get most adjustments with the mainsheet and cunningham, using the >regular vang (Schaefer) for downwind using the stanchion bases. >Although I rarely sail with the top up, I do use it at the slip. > >Dave Leasia >'72 Cal 27 pop-top >"Candy Cane" > > >--- In Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com, "r good" <my1972ih@...> wrote: > > > > Garhauer adjustable rigid vang. Love mine > > Reggie > > Cal 27 T/2 "Knot Ready" > > > > > > Make every IM count. Download Messenger and join the i�m Initiative now. It�s free. http://im.live.com/messenger/im/home/?source=TAGHM_June07

any plans yet for a CCCCCCCCCCC next spring? Reggie Make every IM count. Download Messenger and join the i�m Initiative now. It�s free. http://im.live.com/messenger/im/home/?source=TAGHM_June07

Sure. Let's do it! Wilkie From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of r good Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2007 4:11 PM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: [Cal_Boats] next spring CCCCCCCC any plans yet for a CCCCCCCCCCC next spring? Reggie Make every IM count. Download Messenger and join the i'm Initiative now. It's free. http://im.live.com/messenger/im/home/?source=TAGHM_June07 Yahoo! Groups Links

If you'd not do it on our NOOD weekend, I might be able to make it once. Cheers Charlie Annapolis From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of David W. Owen Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2007 1:14 AM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [Cal_Boats] next spring CCCCCCCC Sure. Let's do it! Wilkie From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of r good Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2007 4:11 PM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: [Cal_Boats] next spring CCCCCCCC any plans yet for a CCCCCCCCCCC next spring? Reggie Make every IM count. Download Messenger and join the i'm Initiative now. It's free. http://im.live.com/messenger/im/home/?source=TAGHM_June07 Yahoo! Groups Links Yahoo! Groups Links