Daft Question from a new Moth owner

[mb424]

Hi All

I spent Sunday putting all the "bits" on my boat.

When I looked a some of the photos on the website alot of people have some kind of tensioner between the foot of the mast and the shroud plate on both sides, this is also attached to a plate on the front of the mast.

What is this tensioner for and as I don't have one do I need one. Please remember I'm not sure I'd know what do with one if I had one

Thanks


James

[paultp]

They are called "lowers"

They stiffen the mast, the lever (or whatever control) puts tension on and releases it.

I fitted lowers to my moth 784 last season (pics in the thread on the changes I think) and I believe they made a difference in terms of pointing and also seemed to make it easier to beat to windward.

More knowledgeable people will probably be able to tell you why.

I can send you clear pics of mine and another which shows what to get and how to fit.

Cheers
Paul

[Meat Pie ...]

James
Adding to what Paul has already said the addition of Lowers are really to stiffen or limit the bend of the Mast [if required].Fitting Lowers really benefits more flexible/bendy Masts but has an advantageous effect on all Masts.
The main gain is preventing the mast bending sideways on fine and beam reaches holding the mast "in column" and straight.As Paul has suggested there may be some gains in pointing/upwind performance but this gain depends on so many other aspects.
As a result of fitting and tensioning the Lowers the extra stiffness obtained will or can generate more power so probably when fitted the boat may feel more taught and responsive to gusts as the energy formerly used to bend the rig is now harnessed hopefully into more forward motion.
The Lowers themselves should in my opinion have a good mechanical advantage in the block system and be well tensioned in use....I run mine at 120kgf which is very high.Make sure that 424 can take the loads !
On older Boats I would recommend putting enough tension on to prevent sideways movement.To optomise on using Lowers it is also perhaps adsvantageous to run with a tensioned forestay to tighten the whole rig.Use an RWO Lever on the Foretsay but aging please ensure that 424 will be able to take the loads.
There are pics on several boats on the Forum Gallery....if you need any more detail please get in touch and we will take some close-up pics for you.
Hope we have helped a little.....
Roger Witts
FRAMPTON MOTHS 2010

[mb424]

Paul and Roger

Thanks for the replies.

It sounds as thought these lowers are something I can do without for now.

I'll have to get myself down to an open and say hello and have a look at some other boats.

James