mast angle more than 94 deg

[eddy]

Yesterday i discovered that the angle of my mast was much more than the 94deg mentioned in the manual.
How much affects this the sailing performance?

[bscott]

Anything beyond 3 degs aft will cause too much weather helm.

Bob

[Catigale]

Eddy - its more than likely that your whole rigging is not setup correctly if this is the case.

[eddy]

I bought the boat with this setup and sailed it for more than a year.
But wondered last year why my mast angle was far more aft then the other sailboats. Think i gonna try to reduce the angle to the 94 deg this weekend, don't know how but will try

I'm curious how the new mast angle works out.

[wcole]

During the first year I had my X I progressively shortened the forestay adjustment and lengthened the shrouds to set the mast more vertical. Eventually I got a new shorter forestay and now have the mast very near vertical. The main benefit is a balanced helm and minimum weather helm. In most winds, I can trim the rig to be neutral and maintain a steady course with little or no steering input. Frequently long enough for a quick trip below. Be careful doing this, however. Many would consider it unsafe because if I were to falll overboard, the boat would continue to sail on. With weather helm, it will turn up into the wind and stop making is possible (hopefully) to swim to the boat and board.

Bill

[eddy]

Don't know if i'm able to get the mast to 90deg because of the shroud en forestay length.

But i'll have a try this weekend.

[Judy B]

Don't know if i'm able to get the mast to 90deg because of the shroud en forestay length.

But i'll have a try this weekend.

If the shrouds are too short, you can add a toggle at the top or bottom. They come in various lengths.



Fair winds,
Judy

[wcole]

My mast is very close to 90 degrees. The shrouds are near their maximum extension. I have replaced the forestay with one that is shorter (I've forgotten by how much, maybe 6").

Again, be very careful because this can eliminate weather helm which is probably why the factory has the rearward cant of the mast.

Bill

[mika]

What's the best way to determine the exact degree angle of one's mast?

[mastreb]

What's the best way to determine the exact degree angle of one's mast?

An iPhone App called "Theodolite". You line up the vertical line with the mast, and it tells you the exact angle.

Matt

[eddy]

Hmmm, think i'm going to set the mast at 94deg as mentioned in the manual for the
I have a cut piece of cardboard with an angle of 94 deg so i can check this.

[raycarlson]

94 degrees to what ???? boat on or off trailer or floating in water???? my M floats nose down when viewing water line stripe so thats not accurate. 94 degrees + or - 4 is prettty hard to keep in tolerance with out some expensive jigging of boat

[eddy]

Don't know about the but in the manual on page 12 it should be 94deg from the flat spot under the mast.

[wcole]

I followed the directions in my memory of the 26X manual. I extend the main halyard to the deck and put a weight on it and take up the slack when there is no wind. I then measure the distance between the halyard end and the mast base. 0" is 90 degrees. The manual states what distance they recommend (this may be the 94 deg). I believe mine is about 1".

Bill

[DaveB]

Mac.X should have a 1.5-2 degree aft rake with a slight bend aft at top of Mast.
This is for well trimed Balanced Headsail and Main.
Adjust Headsail or Main for a balance helm beating to Windward.
Always have a little weather helm.
Sheet angle of the Headstay should be about 60-65 percent up the Stay for correct angle, so adjust your pully along track to get correct angle.
This will keep your headsail in proper aligment when sailing and furling the sail.
This is close as I can get to beating to windward and do as much as 40- 42 degrees in 10 knots (heel 15 degrees) of wind beating to windward and do 4-4.5 knots in a 1-2 ft. wave with full Sail and a 105 jib.
I have done closer to 38 degrees in 12-15 knots of wind and doing 6 knots at times in 3-4 ft. seas (heel 15-20 degrees) but thats Gulf waters.
Gusts are always higher in heel and speed but I won't include that.
Dave

I followed the directions in my memory of the 26X manual. I extend the main halyard to the deck and put a weight on it and take up the slack when there is no wind. I then measure the distance between the halyard end and the mast base. 0" is 90 degrees. The manual states what distance they recommend (this may be the 94 deg). I believe mine is about 1".

Bill