Mast Rake

[Brad Young]

DarBay is a 1986 MK I

1)I have notice that  my mast is raked forward about 4in or so. Very noticeably.
2)The BackStay is very loose and the turn buckle is as tight as it will go. I can not make it any shorter.
3)There seems to be a reasonably about of weather helm and no lee helm.
4)A rigger has told me that most C34 and C30 are normal with a forward Rake and that this rake is more appearance,  than actual rake .
5)I am not sure if my forward stay can be adjusted any more but will check this weekend.
Questions
1)Do most C34's sail with a forward rake and is there more rake in appearance than actual?
2)When I change out the backstay, I want to add a SSB antenna, Has any one done this?
3)I have had several different opinions about the Rake.
Rake: It Allows you to point into the wind more. No No Rake adjust the weather helm or lack of. No No rake allows you to get a better downwind sail shape. Question what does the rake or lack of really do?

[Ron Hill]

Brad : On your questions:
1. All of the C34s that I've seen have a slight rake.  I believe that the rigger is full of crap!
2. You haven't mentioned if you have a deck stepped or keel stepped 1986 C34 mast.  I know of a number of C34s that added a SSB antenna in their back stay. 
3.  I believe that the rake should be about 6 inches aft (at deck level) using the main haylard with a weight attached in a no wind, no wake condition.

You might have to add a toggle to the head stay if there is no more adjustment remaining.

[Stu Jackson]

I agree with the cr*p assessment.  Forward rake, nonsense.  

You NEED to read and USE the rig tuning guide in your owner's manual.  It is, by far, the best guidance on rig tuning (without an expensive and unnecessary gauge) I've ever seen.  It's found on the manual section of the website if you don't have a printed copy on your boat.

http://www.c34.org/wiki/index.php?title=Manuals

Rake on a C34 with a telephone pole for a mast is a ridiculous assertion.

Clear enough?