Keep the baby stay, or?

ChattingLil

ChattingLil

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when I acquired my Mirage 29, she had no baby-stay and when I had the rigging checked, the rigger recommended putting one on. Of course, it was immediately obvious why the stay was removed - it totally fouls the spinnaker and the headsail tends to get stuck on it too.

Anyone got any views on whether I can dispense with it safely? The previous owners clearly felt it was ok.
 
baby stay

The role of the baby stay is to pull the middle of the mast forward counteracting the pull aft of the intermediate side stays (chain plates aft of abeam the mast) so between them holding the middle of the mast in place. assuming one spreader rig.
In some rigging types the spreaders swing aft from square to the centre line with the cap shrouds set aft of abeam the mast. These aft swept spreaders will also push the centre of the mast for ward against the int. side stays.
Much depends on the dimensions of the mast in the fore and aft direction but I would think a 29 ft boat would need some sort of push forward in the middle to keep the mast in straight column so able to take the pull of the forestay and cap shrouds.
However if it seems OK without you might consider a baby stay with high field lever or 4 purchase tackle which can be fitted when wind comes up. or more to the point can be removed when wind is very light. ie have it on when there is any pressure on the rig. (heel on the boat)
this location of the middle of the mast is critical as I lost my first mast when the base of the spreader came loose and it swung forward losing the forward push. That was in a medium breeze 18 knots. So be careful.
good luck olewill
 
ChattingLil said:
when I acquired my Mirage 29, she had no baby-stay and when I had the rigging checked, the rigger recommended putting one on. Of course, it was immediately obvious why the stay was removed - it totally fouls the spinnaker and the headsail tends to get stuck on it too.

Anyone got any views on whether I can dispense with it safely? The previous owners clearly felt it was ok.
Click to expand...

do you have forward lowers
i have a baby stay as all my caps,inters,lowers are all on the same chain plate
& in line with the mast base.
we use check stays if the sea gets lumps in it
 
ChattingLil said:
unfortunately, I don't really know what this means... I will get some photos and post later in the week. In the meantime I will try to learn more about rigging and what is meant by the posts here.
ta.
Click to expand...

Down each side of the boat, how many cables and bottle screws do you have?

My little Snapdragon 23 has three each side.
A cap shroud (going all the way to the top of the mast)
Two 'Lowers' one each side of the cap shroud, on the deck, which only go part way up and support the lower section of the mast.

Hope that helps
 
A rigger worth the name should know what he's talking about. OTOH...:rolleyes:

Before removing it and possible weakening the rig, try putting some of the plastic split tubing that some boats have over their shrouds (can't remember what it's called & too lazy to look it up). It rolls under the sheets and makes fouling less likely

Much cheaper than a new mast :eek:
 
Stemar said:
Before removing it and possible weakening the rig, try putting some of the plastic split tubing that some boats have over their shrouds (can't remember what it's called & too lazy to look it up). It rolls under the sheets and makes fouling less likely
:
Click to expand...

That was my thought too. I've always called them shroud-rollers. Although you might get away without a baby stay in smooth water, once you start pitching into waves the mast will probably tramp like mad. We had a Sadler 29 once and the baby stay was the first bit of the rigging to fail, which I attributed to the amount of work it was doing.

It may also be worth considering how you attach your jib sheets and the best way of stopping them from snagging. There have been threads on this subject recently.
 
Stemar said:
A rigger worth the name should know what he's talking about. OTOH...:rolleyes:

Before removing it and possible weakening the rig, try putting some of the plastic split tubing that some boats have over their shrouds (can't remember what it's called & too lazy to look it up). It rolls under the sheets and makes fouling less likely

Much cheaper than a new mast :eek:
Click to expand...

I use a length of 19mm electrical conduit. Each end has a split plastic bearing made from a chopping board plastic so that it rotates easily on the baby stay. The bearings are held in place with self tappers. Probably tacks easier than a bare mast with the usual protuberances.
 
My Moody 33 has a babystay. Not a problem with the jib sheets after I fiitted a jib sheet which was twice as long as usual and tied to the clew with a bowline. It now never snags on the babystay. I would not remove my babystay - it does the same work as two forward lowers.
 
no baby stay!

You're not alone - I passed a Trapper 500 on the moorings a few days ago which also had no baby stay - or anything else to support the mast mid point in the fore and aft plane. I would think your mainsail will have a much better shape if you fit one.
 
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