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 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
 Catalina 250 Specific Forum
 Shroud tension - Am I Missing Something?
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Bill Arden
1st Mate

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USA
83 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/17/2007 :  13:27:48  Show Profile
Hi, folks -

Here's another dead horse, back from the grave....

I'm trying to use a Loos 91A gauge on the 5/32" shrouds on my C 250 WK (2005 model). The numbers I've seen quoted on the forum seem much too low. My lowers are at 34 on the gauge, and they're very slack when I beat to windward. "Very slack" means they visibly sag - there is no tension on them at all. It looks like I'd have to have numbers closer to 40 in order to keep them taut. But I see numbers here in the range of 20.

Conditions: Sailing close-hauled with single-reefed main and roller-furling genoa at about 100%; Apparent wind reasonably steady, about 20 mph.

What am I missing?

Thanks and regards,

Bill Arden
Prana - C250WK #898
Apostle Islands, WI

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 09/18/2007 :  12:45:04  Show Profile  Visit Arlyn Stewart's Homepage
Bill, the c250 rig is a modified form of a B&R rig even though it has a backstay. What makes it so is the use of raked spreaders to compensate for the absence of lower forwards.

The raked spreaders hold the center of the mast forward as well as in column. They are not nearly as efficient at holding the center of the mast forward as are forward lowers, and for this reason tension of the lowers must not be too great or the center of the mast will be pulled aft (undesirable reverse prebend).

As a consequence, it is quite normal for the leeward lower shroud to show slack when beating to a hard breeze.


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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/18/2007 :  13:54:37  Show Profile
Arlyn, in all these years I never noticed that the single-lowers on the C-250 were aft (instead of in-plane with the mast). Seems odd... But indeed they should be loose then.

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Bill Arden
1st Mate

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USA
83 Posts

Response Posted - 09/18/2007 :  16:40:23  Show Profile
Guys, thanks so much. I've been concerned that I was going to lose the mast every time I beat in heavy air.

Now I can sleep tonight

Thanks again,

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