Specifications

4. SPARS AND RIGGING

4.1) Spars:

All spars (masts, booms, and spreaders) are extruded aluminum 6061-T6 alloy with a protective

coating on all external surfaces. The main mast of the E-43 is stepped through the cabin roof onto the

keel. The mizzen mast is stepped on deck with a supporting post or structure immediately under the

mast.

4.2) Standing Rigging, Running Rigging, Chainplates:

Standing rigging refers to all the fixed pieces of

stainless steel wire which support the mast. If

they principally support the spar in a fore and

aft direction, they are called “stays” (backstay,

forestay, etc.). If they support mainly from side

to side, they are called “shrouds” (upper

shroud, etc.).

The forestay attaches to the stem head fitting at

the bow. This is fabricated of welded stainless

steel and through bolted to the hull with back-

up plates. All other stays and shrouds are

attached to chainplates at the edge of the deck.

These chainplates are stainless steel straps

through bolted to the hull. Additional fiberglass

reinforcement is molded into the hull in all

chainplate areas. See Figure #2 for a

description of this installation.

All standing rigging is attached to chainplates

with adjustable turnbuckles that allow fine

tuning of rigging tension.

Running rigging includes all working lines or

cables that normally require adjustment when

sailing. Examples of these include halyards,

sheets, reefing gear, outhauls, etc.

All halyards are stainless steel wire rope spliced

to dacron line tails to minimize stretch, reduce

windage aloft, and maximize service life. All

halyards are run externally to the mast to

facilitate inspection, repair, or replacement.

4.3) Static Tuning (At the Dock)

First, make certain that the mast is centered on the boat, straight up and down when viewed from the

bow or stern. To make certain the mast is plumb transversely, slacken the lower shrouds fully by

undoing their turnbuckles. Make sure the mast wedges are removed from the main mast, which is

stepped through the deck. Take the main halyard and lead the shackle end to a point at the deck edge

so the shackle just touches the chainplate or rail with a given tension. Tie off the halyard. Take the

halyard to the same location on the other side and with the same tension the shackle should just touch

the rail or chainplate. If not, let off one upper shroud’s turnbuckle and take up on the other to bring the

masthead closer to centerline until the halyard shackle touches both points under the same tension. The