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Morgan 384 Headstay Pin to Pin Length

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Good morning,
This is my first post, although I have been using/lurking this forum for awhile and have found it to be a great help answering questions while refitting our recently acquired a 1984 Morgan 384. I believe her to be one of last 384's built before Catalina took over operations.

We have only had a chance to sail her twice this season before the snow started to fly, Yes we are in the great lakes. The limited time we have sailed her I have noticed a fair bit of weather helm no matter how much I trim sails I could not get her to balance without playing around with reefing, the sails are original but good enough shape, the conditions were 10-12 steady and did not warrant any reefing. After unstepping the mast this fall to replace rigging, wiring, .... and replace the furler I noticed a couple of issues.
  1. The adjustable keel step was slide 100% forward causing the mast to rake aft
  2. With the Headstay completely slack I was unable to get any slack in the backstay
I have measured the Pin to Pin length of the headstay to be 51'2". I have no idea it this is the correct length but by the way she sails I feel this may be to long.

Any help with a sampling of Morgan 383/4 headstay lengths would be very helpful. I need to make some choice soon as I am trying to get the measurements to the sail loft for my new genoa.

Thanks
Shane
 
While your stick is out for winter, pull out and clean the bottom of the mast step. Slather some lanolin grease between the top (sliding) half and bottom. This spring, you can use a crow bar and a couple small 2x4s to adjust rake with the mast in place. I believe you want to rake the top forward to reduce weather helm.

But before getting way out in front of this though, I think it makes sense to really tune the mast properly. Perhaps some of the racers may have shroud tension settings for upper & lowers. But getting the stick centered is a good place to start, then set the rake. 382 specs called for 12" rake. (I ran less on my taller 383 stick. But that's me & mine).

My Harken furler had an adjustable forestay tension. I had a lot of head stay sag until tightened at the furler. Then the backstay was pretty tight even when just engaged. Perhaps someone has adjusted the headstay too tight.

Then there's the subject of sail condition/trim/area. I'll let anyone else go there!
I can say my 383 had a slight amount of weather helm. It liked to be reefed to reduce increasing weather helm if heeling way over. I remember showing my son the one knot increase in speed we gained. He liked sailing on his ear, it felt faster to him. I hoped not to spill my beer! Anyway, I like the way the boat sails!
 
Thank you for your responses.

As for the head-sail; the previous owner described it as a custom built 150+ that didn't work out and then cut down to a ~135.

I didn't measure the rake or pre-bend before pulling the stick. I can't believe It would be easy to get much bend taking into account that the mast looks to be about as big around and stout as a redwood. As for the healing and beer completely agree I had to sail with 1 reef in the main to minimize the weather helm and heal to provide comfort. After finding the right trim I was very happy with the way she sails on all point except heading up as the weather helm seems excessive to me.

Maybe my expectations are off as I am coming from smaller boats Nacras and an Irwin 28.
 
The Morgan 384 Brewer designed , is no IRWIN . Once you balance her , she almost not need you ! She knows how to sail ! In Florida i sail in mostly light air its just what we have . My gennys foot comes to the edge of the cockpit . If the wind pipes up that sail gets rolled in 10 foot ! I really dont notice much rake Ill pay more attention
 
Shane, As Lee said when the balance is right she's a joy. I sailed my boat on Lake Ontario. I had a 150 on the furler, but anytime the Mrs & I would cross the big lake (for 8-10 hours) I'd bend the 110 on. Much better balanced boat. Easier to deal with. Rolling a big genny up to a 110 was in my case a joke. It really didn't work well, IMHO. After a couple experiences I decided a removable inner forestay of some sort would be in my future. There's something very rewarding when sailing with the right sail plan in strong wind. Scary when its not right, too. Anyway, if the wind lessens and the 110 wasn't enough, we'd fly the Perkins 4-108 sail. Your boat's a great motorsailor as well. I'll bet with some sailing time you'll be very pleased with your choice.
 
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