Tony,
Thank you for the information.
I think still one thing is missing, the spreader arms can still be moved more backwards of forward, and still have the same rake.
I guess you also measure the distance between the 2 arms at the wires?
Gill
I always found it better to measure it to the mast track. I have come across several masts (production boats) where the spreader fixings were not symmetrical and they needed compensating for in the adjustment. Rake is then measured between a straight edge across the diamond wires and the mast track, with prebend measured as previously stated as the chord depth from a straight line between top and bottom of the mast track and the mast.
If you place two or three marks on your mainsail back from the luff at spreader height using 'recommended prebend settings' for different conditions, these can then be 'sightlined' to set the prebend with the mast in-situ.
Cheshirecatman
