430 - Rig Tuning & Mast Rake

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Rig Tuning & Mast Rake

Printed From: myHanse.com
Category: Hints & Tips
Forum Name: 430
Forum Description: 430 Hints and Tips
URL: https://www.myhanse.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14931
Printed Date: 27 March 2026 at 03:29
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Rig Tuning & Mast Rake

Posted By: Issywa
Subject: Rig Tuning & Mast Rake
Date Posted: 21 December 2024 at 17:40

My 2008 430e is not equipped with an adjustable back stay and I'm contemplating adding one for better sail trim. Also hoping that this might help with weather helm.

Currently, my mast (by Sparcraft) seems to have significant rake and I'm wondering what is "normal"? Eyeballing it, I would think it's in excess of 10" when at dock.

I searched this site, as well as Sparcrafts and came up with nothing. Selden and North Sails do post some good information but I'm looking for information specific to my boat.

Also, my boat has a compression strut fitted inside the cabin immediately aft of where the bulkhead is that separates the forward cabin from the main salon. When I bought the boat, (I'm the 2nd owner) I was told that during commissioning, the hull was flexing and the riggers weren't able to properly tune the rig. So the post was added. Anybody else have that in their 430?

Replies:

Posted By: Mark_J1
Date Posted: 22 December 2024 at 09:58

Interesting question re compression strut. Had to hunt for a pic of 430e saloon to check what it looked like as standard (link below if anyone interested). Can’t answer question directly. I was actually surprised that the 430 doesn’t have a compression post, as its slightly smaller sister 400e certainly does (decently strong stainless ‘pipe’ in the saloon adjacent to and aft of the forward bulkhead). I wonder if your riggers had worked on 400s previously? Can only imagine the boat ‘as delivered’ has a fully structural bulkhead to take the mast foot pressure. If the rig wasn’t tensioning, I would look at the forward bulkhead. Perhaps they did, and decided a compression post was a cheaper/faster proposition to achieve what they wanted? If you had a purchase survey, did it get mentioned? Must have been some adaptation of the so-called hull inner matrix to get down to keel level?

Can’t imagine why there’s no backstay adjustment. It’s worth ‘half a reef’ and is very normal and useful for sail trim on the fractional Sparcraft rig on my 400e.

The rig tensions are significant and you’ll find plenty of mentions of the rig adjustments in the 400 forum as a starting guide (including the rake guide) if there’s nothing 430 specific. However it’s also easy to go too tight initially when re-rigging. I found on the 400 we needed to tension the rig in 3 stages: dockside at stepping, post initial light airs sea trial, and then after a decent 60Nm coastal passage in 20kts plus.

Mark

http://www.globeyachtcharter.com/yacht-charter/hanse-430-2/" rel="nofollow - http://www.globeyachtcharter.com/yacht-charter/hanse-430-2/

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Hanse 400e "Grey Goose" Hull #31

Posted By: Aussieangus
Date Posted: 08 April 2025 at 06:23

Hi Isswya

I have a 2008 370e and i have a timber compression post under the the forward bulkhead/ mast step. I also have an adjustable backstay which helps alot in strong breeze. Ive had the boat for 2 yrs and am not sure about what happened previosly. My mast has a fair rake when the backstay is not cranked on at all so may be the same.

I think if you can afford it put an adjustable backstay on. Im in Pittwater sydney if you're close and want to have a look.

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Sydney Australia
GODS COUNTRY

Posted By: Issywa
Date Posted: 08 April 2025 at 16:22

Appreciate the comments. I’m in Seattle so not so close but I’d love to visit. Maybe go for a sail with you! Likewise if you’re in the Seattle area.

Posted By: S&J
Date Posted: 10 April 2025 at 02:01

One of the features of the 455/8 that I really love is the absence of mast compression post intruding into the saloon.

These boats have a carbon fibre bulkhead (to forward cabin) underneath the mast which does the job.

I questioned this design prior to ordering my 458 and IMG sent me pictures of the build process in this area.

I can only assume that the 430 might have a similar bulkhead. My mast sits directly over this bulkhead.

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H458 #159 Primal Mediterranean cruising