Beginners question involving dropping the mast to
Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Beginner questions
Forum Discription: Advice for those who are new to sailing
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=13349
Printed Date: 25 Jun 25 at 6:24pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Beginners question involving dropping the mast to
Posted By: Si
Subject: Beginners question involving dropping the mast to
Date Posted: 19 Jun 19 at 8:45pm
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First time posting so please be patient, I have just bought myself wooden Enterprise dinghy with a little tidying up mostly paint work and it should be good to go, When I got the dinghy home first thing I did was put the mast up but was surprised to find the jib attached to the front mast wire, should this be like this or should it be able to be raised and lowered without. Is there anywhere I can get / buy a rigging diagram?
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Replies:
Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 19 Jun 19 at 9:12pm
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There should be a wire inside the front of the jib, but a separate one from mast to front of boat, like the ones coming to the sides. ------------- Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686 |
Posted By: Si
Date Posted: 20 Jun 19 at 5:52am
| I am going to remove the jib this Saturday which means dropping the mast,, if the cable isnt there is it easy to replace? |
Posted By: Sam.Spoons
Date Posted: 20 Jun 19 at 10:03am
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Yes, just go to a chandler and they'll make one up for you (or ask on here and FB Dinghy bits page if anybody has a spare they would sell you). The mast needs three wires to hold it up, on the Ent you can't rely on the jib luff wire to be one of the three (on boats where the mast goes through the deck and down to the keel it will stand up on it's own so you can use the jib). The jib can then be raised and lowered without the mast falling down.
------------- Spice 346 "Flat Broke" Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish" |
Posted By: ColPrice2002
Date Posted: 20 Jun 19 at 8:42pm
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Just to add to Sam's great post...
The Enterprise mast has 3 stays - forestay + 2 shrouds. These keep the mast upright. The jib will (or should) have a wire inside the luff. When the jib is hoisted, the wire in the jib should take the strain, so the forestay is slightly slack. A lot of older dinghies have clips (hanks) on the jib luff so that the forestay can help keep the jib from sagging away. Modern rigs tend to use more tension on the job, so the use of hanks is obselescent. We're assuming you have a metal mast - check the end fittings before buying! Colin |
Posted By: Si
Date Posted: 24 Jun 19 at 6:30pm
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Hi Colin Yes it is a metal mast, intend to take the mast down in a couple of weeks and have proper look at what I have got or what is missing, is there anywhere I can get a diagram of Enterprise rigging or even a Dummies guide to the Enterprise dinghy. Simon
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Posted By: ColPrice2002
Date Posted: 24 Jun 19 at 7:34pm
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Try the information here:-
%20" rel="nofollow - http://www.sailenterprise.co.uk/ . Basically, the 3 stays hold up the mast. The spreaders help control the mast bend. All 3 should be adjustable... Start with the mast upright (check that the mast is upright across the boat). Go sailing, and close hauled with the boat upright and trimmed fore/aft; the boat will want to turn upwind or downwind. Rake the mast backward to increase the tendency to turn into the wind. You're looking for just a slight tendency to turn into the wind. That's always a good starting point. Otherwise, sails are set normally - jib luff tighter than forestay, mainsail to the black band on mast, outhaul to give a decent flow. Use the kicker to keep the boom from lifting, and when windy, more tension increases mast bend.. Enjoy Colin |
Posted By: Sam.Spoons
Date Posted: 24 Jun 19 at 10:04pm
Just to add, when you get down to the detail Ents have been rigged in many different ways but the basic principles remain the same. However an old boat will cope with much less rig tension than a newer one so be careful if you consider replicating the current National Champion's setup  . As Col says make sure it's vertical across the boat but I'd say go with a bit of aft rake to start with, the Speed sails guide says "Mast Rake :-Mast rake is measured from the top of the mast to the top of the transom. It will vary slightly between boats but we sail with a rake in the range of 2111/2 212. To do this hoist the jib with 400lbs tension and then shackle a long measuring tape to main halyard. Measure 18 6 to the top of the black band at the gooseneck. Cleat the main halyard and measure to the transom." But if it's an older boat I'd probably go for a lot less rig tension than that. FWIW the Enterprise is a lovely boat and very rewarding to sail (I've had a couple and may well end up with another eventually). ------------- Spice 346 "Flat Broke" Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish" |
Posted By: Si
Date Posted: 25 Jun 19 at 6:24am
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Thanks Gents, all much appreciated, sure I will be back in the near future with more questions. Si
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