Columbia 28 Rigging Adjustment

How did the factory recommend adjusting your rig? Here is what the C-28 manual said:

January 1972

3 SPARS , RIGGING, AND HARDWARE

One of the most rewarding activities connected with sailing is tinkering with your boat's rigging and hard- ware. The best skippers always seem to be looking aloft at the sails and then thinking about new fittings, or new ways of improving old ones. In this way a person acquires a thorough understanding of how and why every piece of sailing equipment works, plus how to repair and maintain it. As sailors, we too are constantly trying to achieve better and easier boat performance, thus the gear that we install is constantly being improved. What we hope to accomplish in this section is to give you the background information for setting up your boat in the beginning for normal sailing conditions.

When you need more help and information, please consult your local dealer. He is prepared to assist you in obtaining the best type of sailing hardware for your needs in your local area. One may also refer to the annual "Lands End Yachtman's Equipment Guide". This book should prove invaluable to you and your dealer in the selection of the best additional equipment for your boat. The latest issue may be obtained for a minimal amount (approximately $2.50 ) from Lands ' End Publishing Corp. , 2241 North Elston Ave., Chicago, Illinois 60614, and will be an excellent addition to any sailor's library.

- CAUTION -

When placing hardware in any position other than that specified on the Deck Hardware Layout Drawing in Section 3-13, ALWAYS consult the WIRING DIAGRAM to avoid cutting any wires or striking electrical fixtures.

3-1 MAST TUNE

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD ANY OF THE RIGGING BE SET UP "BAR TIGHT". FOR ALL SAILING CONDITIONS WE RECOMMEND THAT THE MAST BE VERTICAL AND IN COLUMN, WITH THE RIGGING "FIRM". IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT A KNOWLEDGEABLE PERSON WHO UNDER-STANDS THIS CONCEPT OVERSEES THE INITIAL TUNING OF THE MAST AND RIGGING.

You should be able to stand facing the mast, reach out and pull on any stay and see the mast move in that direction. With a light pull or push by hand at chest height, this dockside starting point will have both stays of equal tension with about 1" to 2" of play in the uppers and 2" to 3" of play in the lowers. The backstay and jib stay should be of equal tension and have about 1" of play. If the mast is stepped on deck the rigging will be tighter than a mas t stepped on the kee 1. Wi th double lowers the after lowers will be looser than the forward lowers by about 1" of play. Some of the newer tall rigs have intermediate shrouds, the tension of which should be between that of the uppers and lowers.

On a large mast you may notice a line of rivet heads running up one side of the mast. These hold a 3/4" PVC tube to the inside of the mast for the running of optional instrument wires.

The final tuning of the mast should take place while sailing to windward in a medium breeze of 8 to 10 knots. Sighting along the backside of the mast from deck level will indicate what further turnbuckle adjustment needs to be made to the WINDWARD side of the mast. The top of the mast SHOULD NOT "hook" to windward. In a medium breeze the mast should be straight and this is normally accomplished by taking up on the lower shrouds. ALWAYS TACK, and then make the turnbuckle adjustments on the now LEE or slack Side of the mast and then sight the mast on the new, wind- ward side, for further corrections. After a few tacks, the mast should be straight: Secure the rigging by inserting cotter keys into the turnbuckles, spread them open and cover with tape to prevent any snags'

Special attention should be given to the initial stretch of the rigging, especially after the first sail in a strong breeze. In windy conditions it is actually desirable to have the mast head "fall-off" slightly to leeward, giving the mast a smooth, even curve from head to dock. In a tall rig the intermediates play an important part in controlling the upper mast section and this will be especially noticeable in stronger wind conditions. After a few more sails in strong breezes, the rigging should be checked again · for tune as additional stretch will occur.