Gaff Cutter Banana Mast

[Toxophilite]

Hi all
This is a fine,helpful and fascinating forum
I have another connundrum (to me)
The solid Mast on my Gaff cutter has a very definite curvature running it's fulll length
It's a fore and aft curve with the top of the mast bent towards the bow
It is noticeable from a distance and I was wondering what could be done if anything
As related in my previous thread "Gaff Cutter Running Rigging"
It has 3 shrouds aside 2 going to above the gaff throat and one going to the top of the mast
The jib stay goes to the top of the mast and the forestay to above the gaff throat(like the 2 shrouds)
It has no permanent backstay but does have 2 running backstays that go to the top of the mast and are attached aboput level with the rear of the cabin

Whilst at the dock if I slacken the fore and jib stays the mast doesn't straighten out so I think this curvature is part of how the mast currently is
perhaps as a result of constant foreand jibstay tension whilst sitting with little or no backstay tension
Any ideas??

[Toxophilite]

Here's a picture that shows the curve a bithttp://farm6.static.flickr.com/5012/5478531658_7ffddfaacc_b.jpg

[ScudderPt]

It probably won't make too much difference except in looks. The thing to do is to go out in a brisk breeze and see how much it flexes in the gusts. The rig should stand without the runners tightened. If you slacken the head stay can you pull the mast straight with the runners? If you take the mast out you could turn it around and take advantage of the curve back to tighten your forestay. You might have to move some hardware to do it but with the shrouds over hounds and a band at the top that might have to be turned 180 deg. It shouldn't be too complicated. It is the kind of rig you can play with a lot because it's rugged and simple.

[svaap]

The mast of a gaff rigged boat is supposed to log a bit aft at the top -before tension is brought to the forestay.
When tensioned it will curve quite visibly towards the bow in the top.

This results in a pre-tensioned forestay, and improves performance without the use of (and now I can't find the term for what I am about to write...) "the wire tightening the mast backwards when sailing to windward" (sorry for poor engelish)...

Could not see the degree of curvator on your picture though..

Best of luck

[Peerie Maa]

If the rig is not causing excessive weather helm, I'd leave well alone. Nature has done what some skippers need to do, leaning the rig forward or aft to affect handling.

[Ian McColgin]

The pic does not really show the curve very well. It is a curve or is the mast itself raked forward a little?

A shot straight up with the camera right touching one side of the mast might show it, just as you'd sight the mast by pressing your face as tight against the mast as you can and squint. It would be very interesting to see if there's any difference once the sails are in use. Does the thrust of the gaff have any straightening effect.

Topmasts are not uncommonly sprung forward, straightening up only in use. While I'd be surprised if a whole mast had been designed with a curve spring, it might not be doing much harm.

Side note on how the sail is laced. You can get away with this on a small boat but a better lacing looks like a series of V's spaced out advancing down the mast. Starting at the grommet at the throat: Around the mast from starboard to port and enter the highest luff grommet from port; out and around the mast from port to starboard - this is the difference from spiral lacing - to enter next down luff grommet from starboard; out and around the mast from starboard to port; etc. This lacing will go up and down with the sail, maintain adjustment, and even can be easily reefed.

G'luck

[Tom Hunter]

You could reverse it as suggested above. However it's possible that would produce an undesirable change in sailing preformance.

One year my stays were left very loose by the yard and I did not check them in my exicitement to get out on the water. So when I went on starboard tack the mast shifted a bit and I could not get it back to center. The boat pointed a little higher on one tack, and a little lower on the other. I had a great year sailing, even won a race!

One thing you absolutely must do is come up with an inventive story about why your mast is bent forward. It's very important to baffle those who feel every boat needs to conform to their preconcieved notions.

[Vinny&Shawn]

Our mast rakes forward slightly also, but when under sail the gaff boom and tension tends to tweak it out. You can loosen all your shrouds and stays and re-tighten everything with an eye to removing some of the bend. Start with your most forward shrouds, then tighten the others gently,pay attention to the athwart-ship position as you proceed. Remember this is a wooden gaff rigged boat and you need not over stress the rigging. There should be some noticeable slack to the leeward shrouds when under sail, on either tack. I wood think that your port and starbrd running backstays would help compensate some of the curve.. Though being very tempted do not over tighten the the jibstay and be careful with the forstay.

Usually I can take out most of the bend, but as stated by others, it is helpful in the performance and under sail you won't even notice what's going on up there,only when admiring your boat from your dingy.

[Jay Greer]

Ian is correct. You would be wise to heed his comment on your rig.
Jay

[Toxophilite]

Thanks all for the input
I realize the photo isn't the best and I didn't have one taken purposely for this post (should've though, true)
I did have one that showed it quite well but couldn't find it so I used that picture of the sails instead

I'll probably try that alternate sail lacing, that sounds interesting , especially as the the main sail doesn't always come down as easily as it goes up
Thanks

[wizbang 13]

Mine rakes forward at rest,too.
When I grind the mainsheet, (after tensioning the staysl hlyd.) it straightens out.
It may be beneficial.
I WANT mine to do that.

[Toxophilite]

Hot dog!
The beginnings of a support group!
That's almost as good as making up a good story to explain why it curves forward
Thanks

[Vinny&Shawn]

I'll probably try that alternate sail lacing, that sounds interesting , especially as the the main sail doesn't always come down as easily as it goes up
Thanks[/QUOTE]

We were proponents of mast hoops for years, even made my own and covered them in leather to prevent chafing. They made raising and lowering the main sometimes a chore. We then switched to lacing and found that it also stuck and jammed. Finally cut up the lacing into individual robands, They are all adjustable and work beautifully going up or down. Like them very much!