Tips from North Sails
Julien Monnier, Managing Director of the sailmaker, explains what is important.
How important is a correctly adjusted mast for sailing performance?
A well-adjusted mast ensures identical sailing characteristics on port and starboard and ensures that the rigging is matched to the sail shape.
And how do you trim the mast correctly?
The starting point for the measurements is a fixed point at the foot of the mast groove. To measure, take a metal measuring tape that does not stretch and is pulled up with the main halyard or a line. Then measure the distance from the attachment point of the upper shrouds to the shear line on both sides and tension the shrouds until the mast is vertical. The same tape measure is used to measure lengthwise from the top of the mast to the attachment point of the forestay. The distance measured in this way corresponds to the mast drop. The actual value is compared with the target values from the tuning guide and adjusted accordingly using the forestay or backstay. The mast is then straightened using the lower shrouds. In doing so, level upwards along the mast groove and correct the lateral mast bend with the tension compensation of the lower shrouds. The pre-bend corresponds to the distance between the mast and an imaginary straight line from the top of the mast to the foot of the mast, measured at the height of the spreaders. It is set via the tension of the lower shrouds and backstay. All reference values for mast drop, shroud tension and pre-bend are listed in the tuning guide, which is included with every set of standard sails.