fractional rig

[Guest]

I am thinking of raising the spinaker halyard to the top of the mast keeping the fractional rig scheme. Of course, this means I would change for a larger chute.
Should I in any way strengthen the upper shrouds? Can I expect better performances downwind even though I do not have a backstay adjuster?
Thanks,

 

[oldharry]

With a 7/8ths rig you might get away with it, but 3/4 rig will almost certainly need to have 2 backstays to balance the load and support the mast head.

It nearly all depends on the size of your boat, how the mast is constructed, and the weight and location of the existing rigging. Best ask a qualified rigger to take a look and advise you.

 

[Guest]

Thanks oldharry. I guess I will only pull it up a little bit - let's say 1' - just to avoid getting the halyard entangled with the forestay and get a larger spinaker. Hope that does not ask for a double backstay.
By the way, my boat is a classic wood 30' custom made on 1954.

 

[oldharry]

Ah - a wooden mast, which will not suffer from metal fatigue as it is pulled around. Much easier. Much nicer too!

Yes you would almost certainly have no problem with raising it a foot or two to clear the forestay - as long as you are not putting a huge spinny up. A good solid wooden mast is considerably more forgiving than the modern ally jobs which if they fail, fail suddenly and irretrievably. I remember watching an Albacore dinghy rigged with an unsupported masthead spinny. Roaring along well ahead of the fleet - the helmsmans grin changing to one of horror as the whole top section of the mast slowly but gently bent over to an inverted 'L' shape.

At least timber will give warning of stress by bending and flexing, and if it is doing this with your modification, you will know that you are asking too much before it gets expensive! Give it a go in moderate conditions and see whether it copes OK.

 

[Guest]

Thanks again and I will surely give it a shot on raising the spin halyard. Will let you know the results and if you send me your e-mail address I will gladly send you a picture of my boat.

Regards,

 

[Peterduck]

If you have stainless steel shrouds and swaged terminals, check the wire of the shrouds with a crack-detecting liquid in the vicinity of the swages, as this is where they usually part company if they are going to go at all. This is something which should be done annually, anyway. Look for microscopic cracks using a strong lens. If you can get to the upper [i.e. masthead] terminals as well check them too. If all is sound, you will probably be OK.