[Rhodes22-list] Chain plates and loos gauge.

[The Rhodes 22 Email List]

Hi Rummy-

I'm struggling a bit with finger tight. If I'm 6' 2" with XXL hands and
Popeye forearms, won't my shrouds be just a little tighter than Mary Lou's?
I understand she's a little wisp of a woman, at only 5' and 102 pounds.
(Work with me here, Mary Lou. Don't burst my bubble :)

Could you (or someone) post the manual for setting up the shrouds & stays?
Perhaps it came with the mast lowering mechanism. I haven't been able to
find one in the archives using Google's site search, and would really
appreciate knowing the system for raising the mast and securing the shrouds
& stays. 

Thanks in advance -

Dennis
Magic Moments
A trailer sailor who's lost in the wilderness when it comes to raising &
lowering the mast


-----Original Message-----
From: rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org
[mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of The Rhodes 22 Email
List
Sent: Monday, January 12, 2015 3:14 PM
To: rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Chain plates and loos gauge.

Graham,
 
I'm still on pain meds so I'm not up to my usual (nice) form. First of all,
Stan has stated in the past that there are no known specifications from the
factory for using the gauge to adjust the stays. Secondly, the manual
describes  in detail the procedure for tightening the shrouds. The words
FINGER  TIGHT are used. No mention of a gauge or any other means for
tightening.  
People sometimes freak out when on a good heel they see the lee shrouds
flopping  in the wind. NOTHING wrong with this. It's part of the design.
The biggest problem with over tightening the shrouds is you will distort the
deck and the hull and can actually do damage to the centerboard trunk. 
This  is a deck stepped mast, not a keel stepped mast. It is also a very
light weight  fiberglass boat, not a 15,000 pound monster. Quite honestly, I
haven't found  much advantage to tweaking the shrouds other than to get the
mast straight and  perhaps put a little rake into the standard mast if you
are into racing.
Do not try to make more of this boat than it is. In other words, if it ain't
broke, don't fix it. Also, KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID. (Kiss system) Trust me,
this is not the first time we have had this discussion on the list and it
won't be the last.
 
Rummy