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Date Posted: - Friday - 06/23/06 - 8:18pm
Author: Craig Anderson
Author Host/IP: c-67-168-14-77.hsd1.wa.comcast.net / 67.168.14.77
Subject: Mizzen mast concerns

While sailing yesterday I noticed the foot of my mizzen mast rocking as much as 1/4 inch off the teak block the mast is stepped in. We were in rather rough conditions, crossing a bar with 4' waves from the west meeting a river current from the NE. Would that much play be something to expect or should I tighten the mizzen shrouds?

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Replies:

[> Mizzen concern -- Wes, - Saturday - 06/24/06 - 12:17pm (cache02.iad.untd.com/64.136.49.226)

In my limited experience, there should be zero play in your Mizzen. There are other more enlightened folk on this sight with great advice, but a prudent tightening of your mizzen shrouds is my recomendation with the following caveat, certainly do a thorough check of all turnbuckles, chainplates, swages, etc... to make sure there isn't a specific cause as oppposed to multiple shrouds not correctly tensioned. Additionally with a mizzen there are a couple other culprits such as the triatic and the (forgive my early morning ignorance) line connecting the top of the mizzen to the top of the Main mast.

Randall was great in assisting me with shroud questions and did a great amount of leg work with the shroud specs on this sight and has a ton of great insight.

Good luck...
Wes

[Edit]
[> Wes pretty m uch covered it -- Bill Kranidis, - Saturday - 06/24/06 - 3:05pm (ool-18bd4a0e.dyn.optonline.net/24.189.74.14)

The mizzenmast should not move off the base. Along with what Wes suggested, check to see if there is any softness on the area around the mizzenmast step.

Once you check all those things and they pan out ok, take her out in 10 footers this time and let us know how she behaves :-)

Bill

[Edit]
[> Mizzen thoughts -- Gordon, - Monday - 06/26/06 - 12:32pm (engin02.provide.net/216.86.78.194)

Just something to think about... On my boat an M-40, the mizzen is held in place the side shrouds, the triad keeps in place and helps with forces from on-coming winds. For downwind runs however (forces from the aft), the mizzen is held in place by the mizzen sheet alone! So, potentially you could get yourself in trouble on a downwind run in a stiff breeze, with your mizzen sheet loose! On this boat (and most I assume) the mizzen sits in an aluminum mount to keep it from moving, but you could potentially 'sway' the mast forward - if conditions are right. Consequentially, when I run downwind or 'wing on wing', keep my mizzen in a reasonably tight position and use the main and gen at 'full' sail. - Just a thought, but if you look at your rigging, you'll see what I mean....

[Edit]
[> [> Thanks -- Craig Anderson, - Monday - 06/26/06 - 8:47pm (c-67-168-14-77.hsd1.wa.comcast.net/67.168.14.77)

Thanks for all your advice. I've got the turnbuckles on the mizzen shrouds soaking in penetrating oil. Who knows how long it's been since they were last adjusted, but they won't budge now. The wood at the base seems solid enough, hard to tell, though, without unstepping the mast.
We were sailing on a beam reach with the sail out at about 45 degrees so the loose sheet may have contributed to the problem.
It will be some time before I have the opportunity to challenge 10 foot waves, and I hope to not see any here in Everett, WA. Still, we were out last weekend and had a lazy sail home with just the jib, and making 3 3/4 knots. This weekend we're off again. I may get out Tuesday afternoon. With that much time to tune the rigging we should have it adjusted before our summer cruise at the end of July.

[Edit]

[> [> Not so on the M31s -- Randall, - Monday - 06/26/06 - 11:24pm (64-161-221-132.opentable.com/64.161.221.132)

Hey Gordon, on the M31s, the lower mizzen shroud contacts the deck AFT of the mast and so aids in keeping the mast upright when the wind is aft. Not so on the 40? That's odd.

Even so I've added mizzen running backs which run from the top of the mast to a space on either side of the deck about even w/the wheel. Just for peace of mind.

RR

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