TOPIC:

Hi All



I am looking for some advice on how to set up shroud adjustment system in my boat. At the moment I have throw off levers above deck leading to the normal multi hole bracket below deck to adjust the rake before setting off. I can adjust the jib halyard tension from either side on a 12:1 system which works well.



I have read John W's (and others) comments on the shroud purchase systems to be used, but I have little information on the layouts within the boats themselves. I took some photos of the system on Al 1781 at the boat show, which looked neat, but want to look at other options before making a final decision. I have searched the photo gallery, but none of the pictures give close up detail.




My questions are whether I need a system which can be adjusted from either side of the boat, or whether a centrally placed cleat on the c/b case will be enough. Also, when looking at the line the adjusters will take from the side deck to the mast base, they will foul the side tank (boat is a Knight & Pink).




I can email photos of the existing layout around the mast to anyone interested. I have tried to upload photos to the gallery, but without success. If anyone can help on this then you can all have a look at the problem!

Graham

Where do you intend to sail most? If it is very restricted waters where windshifts are the most important factor then throw-off levers are perfectly adequate. If you are to sail at a drag-race open water venue like Lyme then boatspeed is all-important and extra provision to get the mast well forward on the run is worthwhile.Independent adjustment is better because you can ease the windward shroud a little whilst completely freeing the leeward shroud.

Your best course of action would be to go to look at boats where there is a competitive fleet and see the variety of systems

Thanks or the prompt response. I sail mostly inland at Ripon SC, but am considering coming to events next year. The levers work well, but the wind speed can vary significantly over the day and the ability to alter the rake during the race I felt would be of benefit.



You have me puzzled on the independent adjustment - do you mean with the levers and if so, how? They are either on or off. If adjusting with pulleys, how do you ensure even movement either side to stop the rig pulling to one side?

We're needing to fit adjustment as well, to a wooden boat. I like the boat as she is so minimal carpentry's a high priority. So if anyone has pictures or information that would help .... we'd also be grateful at snekkja@live.co.uk .

I saw a Knight and Pink at the Nationals/Internationals in Largs with adjustment rigged so that the control wire line came over the top of the gunwale and the corner of the side tank, just clearing it, and into the body of the boat that way. It didn't look too much of a crew obstuction but it wasn't the neatest arrangement I'd ever seen. But I imagine that it worked OK and there were few holes in the woodwork. Now I wish I'd taken a photo! DLT

Graham

I use levers and a pulley system - you can get the shrouds the same length by marking the pulley positions on the nearest bit of boat or by marking the ropes.

It is worthwhile letting the leeward shroud go completely on abroad reach or run so that the boom can be let off square

Hi Dave?

Was it yourself that bought Walter's boat from Perth?

The adjustable system that you describe was fitted to 7504 a boat which I chartered out for the Internationals.

She was a Knight and Pink and did at one time belong to Stevie Broon.

I have some pictures that I can send you, if I can find out how to post them.



Graham, I have a strip of sailcloth tied by a piece of shockcord each end and behind the rigging blocks, I have the settings marked on it and dublicated each side so that I can always reset to the exact position, I use the block as the measuring point, again I have pictures if Trevor can tell me how to upload them to the Gallery page.

CrawfyCrawfyReid2009-11-05 23:22:51

Thanks to all so far for the contributions - I'm glad I'm not the only one with problems on the gallery page. Hopefully someone will give us the info as to how to upload photos as they are very useful points of reference.



Crawfy - I have an excellent photo of Ptarmigan, but unfortunately it's looking aft, so I can only see the tops of the adjusters above the gunwales! Do you have a photo looking the other way? I can give you my email if you can't get the gallery to work.



Snekkja - I took quite a few photos of Alb 1781 at the boat show to record how the adjustment system was set up. _ I thought it was neat and simple and can email the photos to you if you like. Verbally the system works like this:



From the fixed point on the gunwale, the line runs up through the turning block on the shroud and down through a sheave in the deck inboard of the fixed mounting point. (On Ptarmigan the sheave is forward of the fixed point) From the sheave the lines run forward to turning blocks either side of the mast. On the port side, the line then runs aft to two turning blocks either side of the c/b case and then forward on the starboard side to a turning block mounted just below the c/b pivot bolt from where it turns aft again. One through the block it is then spliced with the line coming aft from the starboard shroud and the two lines are then spliced onto a block about 12 - 18" aft of the turning block at the c/b bolt. Adjustment is from a line fixed at the aft end of the starboard side of the case through the block that the two shroud lines are spliced to and then aft to a turning block mounted vertically on the aft end of the c/b case and forward to a cleat mounted on the aft end of the c/b case capping where the helm can adjust it from either side of the boat. By my calculation, this give 4:1 ratio with the pulley on the shrouds and then the pulley where the shroud lines are spliced into one. As I say, the system is simple and looks neat. Perhaps my only modification if going with this would be to have an elastic take up on the end of the line after it comes through the cleat on the case to stop the helm tripping over it, as I know I would in the heat of battle!