My Prindle has a bowed mast. I am working on getting her ready for the water. Will the bowed mast affect the stearing? I am a casual weekend sailor. Is this something that is VERY concerning? Thoughts?
Can you straighten it with the diamond wires?
When the diamond wires are not tightened, the mast is amazingly flexible. If you could hold it by one end, no wires, and no other support, the mast would bow at least 1 foot along its length.
Is it bent, or just more noodley than you expected?
When holding the mast from the base and looking up the sail slot to the top, the curve begins slowly just below the spreaders, continues past the diamond wires all the way to the top. I haven't tried to measure the difference, but I would guess that the very top is approximately eight inches to the right from being straight. Maybe it is more of a bend; however, there are no creases or fractures. After purchasing the boat and getting it ready to bring home, the mast fell pretty hard on the stern crossbar when I was lowering it. I currently have the mast stretched out on two saw horses with a light weight in the spot where I believe the bow/bend begins. I have not rigged the boat since bringing it home. I have had thoughts that maybe I need to rig the boat and see how the mast looks with all of the standing rigging in place. Thoughts?
How tight are the diamond wires?
I've loosened the starboard side diamond wire a little. I loosened the top nut and loosened the turnbuckle probably by three or four turns. That is all. As far as how tight they are, I don't really know what kind of tension to expect. I guess it wouldn't hurt to loosen both diamond wires to see what happens.
Hi. I got an almost free P-18 last fall, so I am no expert. The manual says, "Push both wires towards the mast with equal tension at the same time. The wires should touch the mast at least 12" above the lower attachment point but no than 20" above." Hope this helps, Jim in land locked Boise.
Read the manual. Loosen everything up. Make sure the diamond wires are the same length on both sides. Check that that spreader bars are assembled correctly, and that they are raked back like the manual describes. Tighten the wires back up.
My diamond wires are tighter than the manual implies. I don't think I could get the wires to touch the mast.
Wondering how tight others have theirs?
Edited by kgatesman on Dec 30, 2011 - 06:13 AM.
The manual http://www.thebeachcats.com/pictures/?g2_itemId=75669
Edited by kgatesman on Dec 29, 2011 - 07:51 PM.
I'll try it. Thanks.