Re: Tuning shrouds

Clair&Edgar (N1122@mail.aai.arco.com)
Mon, 19 Oct 1998 08:24:39 -0900


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West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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Judy,

I wrestled with the same issue for the first couple of seasons that we
owned our P19. I finally settled for a "manual" approach. I follow this
approach once a year at the beginning of each season. Of course we keep our
boat moored at a marina from May until October, so there is no need for us
to make adjustments more often. First I check to make sure that the stay
turnbuckles are adjusted so that the stays are of equal length (of course
when the mast is down). After raising the mast and setting the stays, I
turn each turnbuckle the same number of turns, one fill turn at a time, for
each side. I repeat this procedure, alternating first the port side then
the starboard side, until I cannot turn the turnbuckle easily by hand any
longer. Checking the stays, the tension is taught, with about an inch of
movement each direction in the middle of the stay from the "normal" stay
position (2" total) . The term "by hand means using no tools, fingers only.
If you use any tools, i.e. pliers, wrench, bars, etc. you really need to be
careful you don't over tighten the stays. After I adjust the stays, I wrap
the turnbuckles lock nuts and pins/retaining rings with riggers tape. We
have sailed in fairly heavy weather conditions, so far, without any
problems. One good indicator that your stays are too loose is when on a
tack or beam reach, the lee side stays are visibly slack, with the windward
stays taught. The stays should not become visibly slack as you change from
starboard to port tack. This my humble and unprofessional opinion of
course, I am not a marine engineer, so therefore..... really don't know
what I am talking about. : - )

Regards,

John & Terrie
P19 Sassea, #950
Lake Chelan, WA

JBlumhorst@aol.com on 10/18/98 07:58:17 PM

To: wwpotter@tscnet.com
cc: (bcc: Clair&Edgar/AAI/ARCO)
Subject: Tuning shrouds

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West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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Hello Potter-folks,

I replaced parts of the turnbuckle assembly on my P-19 today. My question
is
this: how tight should I make my shrouds? I have the older (1985) heavy
duty
mast with 1994 5/32" wires. Is there an inexpensive (I wish!) tension
gauge
you can recommend or some rule of thumb to follow?

The West Mrine catalog lists a Loos tension gauge for $38.99. Can anyone
recommend the correct tension in pounds for the P-19?

Thanks.

Judith Blumhorst
P-19 #266 "Redwing"
Danville, CA.