Hi all,

sorry if this has already been covered elsewhere, but I have had a quick search on the forum and cannot find the answer. I also tried looking at Dicks website, but I can't seem to access the Merlin tuning pages for some reason :-(

So I have downloaded all the tuning articles (thx for everyone who penned these, they are an invaluable source of info!). I have read the one titled 'Setting up the Mast' and just need some help to clarify something for setting up my standard length deckstepped Superspars Carbon mast, Superspars spreader arrangement.

1. Should the mast be in position 0? ie. Dead upright?

2. In step 10, it talks about 15mm 'forward deflection'. Does this mean that the shroud (when removed from the spreader ends) should be in front of the spreader or behind the spreader?

3. Are the above measurements still pretty much the norm for this type of mast?

4. Is it better to use this method to set the spreaders or the other methods I have seen on the forum? ie. Aft measurement from the sail track and spreader width of @ 700mm?

Thanks!!

Scottie

If it's a Winder boat the standard setting is 140mm from the luff groove to the imaginary line between the spreader wingtips.

A few people use slightly more, others slightly less but that's your start point and then decide if you want more or less bend.

If it's not a Winder life is a little more difficult becasue the shroud base position varies slightly between the differant builders and this has a profound effect on your spreader setting. However all is not lost because if you measure from the jib tack to the shoud point on a Winder hull and compare it to yours it should be possible to make a reasonably accurate guess as to what your start point should be.

Thx for reply Chris. No, she's not a Winder.

Who is your builder?

She's a Bob Hoare built Modified CT. Built back in '92.

never come across one of those i'm afraid.

Time to get the tape measure out!

Chris,

Hmm, I just don't know what I should be measuring from????

So anyway, I have set mast up with 40mm / 15mm as per guide on site, but when mast is in upright position (and just about any position actually), there is hardly (like none!) prebend in the mast.....Do you know if this is common with superspar masts ie. are they stiffer than other mast sections?

So, I have been thinking...as my boat is a bit older, is it not more important for me to do away with datum starting spreader measurements and to focus on getting the spreaders set up to get the right pre-bend for the mainsail?

Does anyone know what the suggested prebend is for P&B main?

Many thx,

Scott

Hmm, think I found my answer...just found P&B tuning guide on web......

http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/advertisers/documents/pinnellandbax/MerlinRocket.pdf

S

If you measure from the jib tack to the shoud point on a Winder hull and compare it to yours it should be possible roughly position the spreaders working on the basis that if it's a winder hull the standard setting is 140mm back from th luff groove.

So if for example the shroud base on your boat is an inch further back you should position the spreaders at about 145ish.