Chrysler Sailors Forum

My wife and I were washing and petting the 'new' C-20 today when I noticed that the standing rigging seemed a bit loose. All of the turnbuckles are covered with PVC pipe (is that normal?), so I had not really inspected them before; after all, the previous owner was sailing the boat. On checking, none of the 8 turnbuckles had any locking devices and some of them were definitely floppy loose. It is a wonder we did not lose the rig yesterday with the 15-20 knot winds we were sailing in. It probably explains why I could not get the sails trimmed quite right and the weird lee helm I was experiencing.

None the less, I am now stuck with tuning the rig before we can go out again. Does anyone have a suggested initial tension setting for the C-20 standing rigging. The owners manual is a bit vague with the 'moderate tension' setting. I have a rig tension gauge from rigging my home-built airplane. But without some initial starting value, that is not much help. I can probably get by OK by just getting them firm with a bit of preload, but would like to know what I should be shooting for and how 'firm' is firm.

Thanks
Phil

The PVC pipe some use as a roller of sorts to protect the jib or the jib sheets from snagging on the shrouds. Obviously the missing safety pins/rings are a no no.

No idea of specific tensions but since you found the rigging loose and without retainers I'd sure check for plumb on the mast. Easiest way I've found there (in case you haven't done it) is pull a halyard over to the port side and make a mark where it meets the shroud turnbuckle, then pull it over to the starboard side to be sure the mark touches the same place on that side. Adjust the shrouds as needed to get there. As far as fore/aft on the mast I just launch the boat, stand at the mast to keep the boat level as possible, and hang a wrench from the halyard to see it it hangs just aft of the mast..

Over tightened is probably more stressful on the rig than leaving it a bit loose.

Hope that helps a little, maybe a C20 owner will chime in with some specific knowledge..

Also keep in mind that when sailing you will see the leward or downwind side slacken a bit in a good breeze. That is generally OK and expected.
Scott

Thanks Guys. I did read Windward's 'Getting in Tune' discussion and have no idea what it all means. LOL...I suspect that his C-26 setting and/or procedure would probably not be totally applicable to the C-20 in any case. As a beginning sailor, I figure I am unlikely to be able to notice any difference in handling if I just get it 'close'. From reading the manual, it does not seem to be all that critical. I will give things a shot this weekend and see.