The ABC's of Thistle Mast Set-Up

A comprehensive technical guide to Thistle mast setup and tuning. Turney walks through straightening the mast, tuning diamonds with consistent tension gauges, measuring head stay tension and mast rake, and controlling prebend through shims. The article explains how to adjust for different wind and water conditions and provides visual indicators for proper mast bend using wrinkle patterns.

This is a summary. The full article text is © the Thistle Class Association — read the original scan via the link above.

• Thistle
• mast setup
• tuning
• sailing technique
• boat maintenance