How "easy" to fit inner forestay fittings?

Georgio

Georgio

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How \"easy\" to fit inner forestay fittings?

I have worked out how to install a lower fitting to my Co32 but how easy (diy) is it to fit the upper mast fitting to accept a secondery inner forestay. The mast is a Kemp/Selden circa 1978, old but in good condition.

I assume a hole would be required and alloy fitting rivited to the inside of the mast.

Also I assume I would need some sort of hallyard deflector so that I can use one of the existing two genoa hallyards in a lower position.

Any thoughts, ideas or advice from the forum??
 
Re: How \"easy\" to fit inner forestay fittings?

Have done similar. Individual pieces are easy to get, biggest problem for us was a pop rivet gun big enough to do the job. We ran a new halyard just for the job, but if you can get away with an existing one i would.

Selden website seems to have all the bits that you would need, simple backing plate that accepts a T end.
 
Re: How \"easy\" to fit inner forestay fittings?

There are a number of temporary inner forestay rigs, the advantages are many in that it will not foul the headsal or spinnaker pole sheets when not required, can have a snap on connection with pre-set lever tension at the base. takes very little time to hook up if you notice any mast pump.

Make sure the deck fitting is a good solid job with more than just a simple backing plate.

Avagoodweekend......
 
Re: How \"easy\" to fit inner forestay fittings?

I've done this on my Co32. I've got the masthead fitting about 300mm down from the top. I had a halyard deflector but removed it after a couple of seasons as it caused more trouble than it solved. I attached the deck fittings to the aft end of the anchor locker. It's all worked brilliantly now for a number of years. I now keep the inner forestay rigged nearly all the time and when the wind gets a bit too much for the roller genoa I use a spare halyard to hoist a staysail hanked on to the inner forestay. Set up like this the boat sails like an absolute dream when the wind is consistently over 25 knots. Even at 40/45 knots the boat has still been well behaved. The only downside is short tacking the roller genoa if the forestay is kept rigged, when it makes fast tacking difficult. Otherwise the modification is definitely one of the best changes I've ever done on my 32.
 
Re: How \"easy\" to fit inner forestay fittings?

Wichard will sell you what they call a baystay fitting wich is composed of two bent and drilled bits of stainless .
http://www.wichard-usa.com/Catalog/babystay_adjusters.htm
Scroll to the bottom of the page.
You will need a slot cut on the mast wich can be hard to do especially if it is standing up.A router comes to mind.
Make sure that an imaginary extension of the line of the stay will end up near the backstay attachment point.
This is one solution ,there are others.
 
Re: How \"easy\" to fit inner forestay fittings?

[ QUOTE ]
Just out of interest, why don't you make it removable, as surely you have to go forward anyway to hank on the staysail?

[/ QUOTE ]
My inner forestay is removable. It has a highfield lever at the bottom. The advantage of keeping it attached is appreciated on a long or overnight passage if there is a chance of strong winds. I can have the staysail hanked on and tied down on the foredeck. It's then a very quick job to hoist it, with minimal time messing about on the foredeck.
 
Re: How \"easy\" to fit inner forestay fittings?

[ QUOTE ]
My inner forestay is removable. It has a highfield lever at the bottom. The advantage of keeping it attached is appreciated on a long or overnight passage if there is a chance of strong winds. I can have the staysail hanked on and tied down on the foredeck. It's then a very quick job to hoist it, with minimal time messing about on the foredeck.

[/ QUOTE ]

I do the same.In fact I end up using the jib a lot more than the genoa.
 
Re: How \"easy\" to fit inner forestay fittings?

Mine was done like this:

Cher0905006.jpg


Fitting in ^ Mast

and I used a Highfield Leaver at the bottom.
Leaver.jpg
 
Re: How \"easy\" to fit inner forestay fittings?

Having always been against roll up jibs I find it slightly amusing that people are finding a hank on jib made for the job a better idea. (small dig here)

To the question. Dinghies use a forestay attachment consisting of 2 strips of SS coming from either side of the mast and bent together at the front to take a bolt through thimble on the end of the wire. These strips can be pop riveted to the side of the mast. Pop rivets are strong in shear or as is common on a dinghy put a single bolt through the mast from side to side taking the strips.

One commercial fitting had the strips spaced so that a sheave fitted in to take an external halyard (or a halyard from above). This whole design could be duplicated in beefed up form.
I don't see the worth of fitting a stay with a tang and the necessary backing plate or the job of fitting a sheave box for internal halyard. All of which will weaken the mast. This is not so much of a problem if the forestay goes up near the top but if it is attached nearer the centre of the span spreaders to top then the mast could be compromised. (both as a bad place to apply a load and a bad place to weaken the mast integrity with holes.)
The highfield lever in the photograph looks beautiful but very expensive. I have a home made high field on my forestay that works well and is very strong.
Sorry I guess these suggestions presuppose you can fabricate SS from scraps. good luck olewill
 
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