Which Loos Gauge???

[Snore]

I am tired of checking my rigging by feel and want to buy a Loos Gauge. Any thoughts on the basic versus the "pro" model? There is a $90 price difference between the "B" and PT-3 model.

That is a few bucks and represents many adult beverages, so I want to be sure to allocate resources appropriately

Would appreciate comments from folks who have used them.

Thanks

[roverhi]

I've got the standard model and it works fine. Not as easy to read as the 'Pro' model but does the job. Have been tempted to by the 'Pro' model but just can't justify the extra cost. FWIW, the Pro models seem to go for the low $200 on Ebay and show up every couple of months or so.

[hpeer]

I just bought one (1/4'-3/8") on ebay, brand new, for $125 plus shipping.

[S/V Alchemy]

The difference only matters depending on the size of your rigging. See the chart here:

LOOS & COMPANY Rig Tension Gauges at West Marine

If you have 1/4" or under rigging wire, you get the PT2 model. If higher, you get the PT3 model. I have 1/4" on my 33 footer and 5/16" on my 41-footer...because the latter boat is overbuilt with 11 stays/shrouds, I could conceivably just scale up the values using the PT2 I already own and get a good approximation of ideal tension. In my experience, non-racers are usually under-tensioned, although a lot of the older guys seem to be able to tension pretty accurately when later checked against a gauge. To some degree, it's a valuable tool not only because a slack rig will eventually damage tangs and terminals, but also because a properly tensioned rig makes the boat's performance to windward immediately better.

Or you can haunt eBay. $125 for one is a good price.

[cburger]

I purchased all new wire from Rigging Only, in Fairhaven, Ma. Use a buddy's standard Loos gauge to tune the rig 9/32" wire, followed their directions and called the supplier of the wire to see what tension they recommended for the wire they sold me and I couldn't believe it when I was informed that they never use a gauge to tune the rig, suggested that I tap the wire with my finger and adjust according to the sound the wire gives off, needless to say used the Loos and followed their baseline suggestions for Ft/lbs of wire tension.

[marujo.sortudo]

I had a Loos PT-3 gauge for a few years and sold it a few months ago on ebay for $93 + shipping. My personal experience was that for tuning only one rig (mine) it was useful about half a dozen times to get a feel for the proper wire tension, and after that it was just taking up locker space. YMMV. I also found that much less than the recommended tension was ideal to keep the drop boards in my sole from getting stuck (I do have a wooden boat, though.) Now, I just tension the rig enough so that the leeward side isn't slack when going to windward and the mast stays nice and straight in column on either tack. My advice would be to find one you can borrow now and then and see if you really want it in the long run. Save some boat bucks.