By Poul-Richard Høj-Jensen · BDA Magazine 2005 Annual, p. 28
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Poul-Richard Høj-Jensen’s routine for setting up the mast and equalising runner tension, given that modern Dragon runners work more or less as a backstay. Set the forestay at 121, put 20 on the uppers and 5 on the lowers with a Loos gauge, then pull on each runner until the gauge on the forestay reads 30 and mark the runner’s through-deck position with tape. With the runners just tight the tape should then be 15 cm above the deck. Sail with the tape 15 cm from the deck in light conditions, 8 cm in medium and at deck level when it blows hard.
Setting up of mast
The runners on a Dragon these days are more or less working as a backstay. The reason for this is, the jumper wire is shorter, the jumper angle is further back and the mast ram has made an effective impact on bending the mast.
This is what I do, when I set the mast up:
- Put the forestay up in 121.
- Put 20 on the uppers and 5 on the lowers with the Loos tension gauge.
- Put the tension gauge on the forestay.
- Pull on the starboard runners, until the tension on forestay shows 30.
- Mark the through deck position of runners with tape.
- Do the same exercise on the port side.
Now, I am sure I have the same runner tension on port and starboard. As a check, when pulling the runners just tight, you should have a measurement of 15 cm from the tape mark to the deck.
When sailing in light conditions, I have 15 cm from the tape to deck; in medium conditions 8 cm; and when it blows hard, the tape is at deck level. Try it, it works.
Originally published as “Technical Tips 9 – Trim Tactics” in the BDA Magazine 2005 Annual. © Poul-Richard Høj-Jensen and the British Dragon Association. Reproduced with permission.
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