How do I adjust mast rake and rig tension on a Hallberg-Rassy 46?

Set your Hallberg-Rassy 46's mast rake to the specification for its fitted mast and forestay arrangement, then centre the mast and tension the shrouds evenly. Check the result under sail: the mast should stay straight sideways, the forestay should have adequate support and the boat should carry only light weather helm.

Check the rig specification

Start with the boat's rig drawing, mast identification and previous tuning records. An HR 46 may have replacement standing rigging, altered furling equipment or a different mainsail arrangement, so check its present equipment as well as its build year.

Ask Hallberg-Rassy or the mast supplier for the drawing matching your hull and mast numbers. Do not use the 600 to 750 mm rake measurements sometimes quoted for an HR 40: those figures are not an HR 46 specification.

• Identify wire or rod construction, diameters, terminal types and turnbuckle thread sizes.
• Inspect chainplates, spreader roots and tips, mast step, deck support and accessible terminals.
• Check that turnbuckles have sufficient thread engagement and adjustment remaining.
• Record existing settings before changing anything: photographs, exposed thread lengths and backstay setting.

Stop if you find cracked terminals, broken strands, distorted fittings or movement at a chainplate. Secure the mast with suitable temporary support before disconnecting any stay, and keep everyone off the rig during adjustments.

Measure rake and centre the mast

Measure afloat in calm conditions with normal cruising equipment aboard and the boat at its normal trim. Record tank levels. Weight distribution changes the apparent rake, so repeat measurements with similar loading.

1. Ease the mainsheet and kicker, and support the boom independently so it does not pull on the mast.
2. Hang a weight from the main halyard, clear of the boom and deck. Damping the weight in a bucket of water helps steady it.
3. Measure horizontally from the aft face of the mast to the hanging line at a repeatable height, such as the gooseneck. Record that height and the halyard exit used.
4. Use a masthead halyard to compare distances to matching port and starboard reference points. Apply the same light tension each time.

The forestay's effective length principally controls rake. Lengthening it generally increases aft rake; shortening it reduces rake. A furling foil may conceal the adjuster, and changing forestay length can affect foil clearance. Follow the furler instructions before opening or altering the assembly.

Do not move the mast heel simply to chase a plumb-line measurement. On a keel-stepped installation, the heel and deck partners also control mast bend and support. Check their relationship against the rig drawing.