Thom Stewart wrote:

Group;

Here is the boat my crew member picked up. I'll try to crew for him.

Doug,or whoever, Talk to me about setting Standing Rigging without back
stay adjuster, Need to know on this Ranger.

Thanks,
Ol Thom

http://community.webtv.net/tassail/ThomPage



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Hi Thom-
Definitely go sailing on this boat! It's a Ranger 20, often
called the 'Kent Ranger' to seperate them from the
Cal/Ranger series. Very original designs and it works well.
These boats are deceptively fast, we had one dogging us in
the Lightning in many races.

About setting up the standing rigging... I don't know the
specific tuning, but you will definitely want to check out
the mast support post inside & the step... thoroughly. A bit
of 'deferred maintenance' by some previous owner could
produce an embarassing & costly crashy-thumpy noise.

To set the mast up (just like any fractional rig) leave the
backstay and lower shrouds very loose at first, and the
upper shrouds somewhat loose. Stand the mast up and set the
rake by adjusting the forestay so it looks like the mast is
only slightly tilted back. Then set up the backstay so that
it's snug but not tight. Now hook a tape measure to the main
halyard and measure to the chainplates on the transom (or
some other easily identifiable, permanent landmark) and note
that in the log as the rake measurement.

Now take the tape measure and check to each upper shroud
chainplate. Should be the same so that the mast is vertical
to the boat. The lowers should still be loose. When the mast
is vertical to the boat (and you'd be amazed how many boats
don't sit level... a plum bob is worse than useless for
tuning), and the rake is where you want it, pull tension
evenly on the upper shrouds. This will bend the mast! Sight
up the sail track to make sure that the mast is still
perfectly straight side-to-side, the curve should be all
fore & aft... then tighten the upper shrouds to about 150#
tension or you get 3 ~ 4" of bend, whichever comes first.

Now tighten the lower shrouds evenly, continuing to sight up
the sail track to make sure it stays straight athwartship.
This will pull the bend out of the mast. If your sails are
relatively full & you sail in light wind much of the time,
pull the mast to almost straight. If your sails are fairly
new and/or you sail in good wind, leave an inch or two of curve.

The backstay should now be tightened until it just barely
increases the curve in the mast, sighting up the sail track
some more.

I'd recommend putting on a new adjustable backstay. If the
boat is trailered regularly (and these boats trailer fairly
easily) then you can put on 5mm Spectra line spliced at each
end with a carabiner to hooking it to a 3:1 tackle, unrigs
easily & quickly and give a great 'first reef' sail control.

Your crew made a good pick on this one! Hope you both have
some good times sailing.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King