Rigging

[hrsail920]

With keel stepped mast up for winter, should rigging be eased?

Thanks in advance.

hr

[roverhi]

Yes!!! No need for rigging to be sailing tight on the hard or when not sailing. Puts constant strain on everything that serves no purpose. That doesn't mean you loosen the rigging till it flops about.

[Martin S]

Great question and a great answer. Just completed first winter layup and missed this one!.

[hrsail920]

Thanks, Will ease a few turns.

[ssscruz]

Just remember how many turns you took, then reverse them next Summer. Unless you don't like the current tune...

[hrsail920]

for sure

[Stumble]

It very much depends on how tight your rigging is now. For long term storage shrouds should be kept firm but not tight. loosen them too much and the mast can start to flop around during the winter.

I don't count turns since I always forget how many I am currently doing, let alone where I started. My suggestion is to buy a cheap set of digital calipers and measure the distance between the studs. This is an absolute distance, so you can return to it no matter what else happens to the turnbuckles.

[hrsail920]

I always check during the sailing season with Loos Tension Gauge.