johnspeetjens
New member
I have a Nautor Swan 46Mk1 and am thinking about removing the mainsail flattener so I can put a dinghy on the foredeck. Any thoughts?
Nautor Swan flattener
- Thread starter johnspeetjens
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rotrax
Well-known member
Sounds like you mean the Kicker or Vang.
Dont know the boat but you might get away with it.
Dont know the boat but you might get away with it.
johnspeetjens
New member
No I mean the flattener. It's an adjustable headstay that goes to the first spreader.
dunedin
Well-known member
Is it the inner forestay you are referring to (the only thing I can think of impacting storing a dinghy on the foredeck)?
The importance of this does vary slightly based upon the precise rig and sail set. But could be catastrophic to be removed if needed
The importance of this does vary slightly based upon the precise rig and sail set. But could be catastrophic to be removed if needed
LadyInBed
Well-known member
Is the mainsail flattener an add-on or part of the original configuration?
Motor_Sailor
Well-known member
I think they're more commonly called a babystay on rigs with in-line lower shrouds.
The problem with in-line rigs is that the mast can 'pump' when sailing hard in to lumpy seas. The support loads for the rig, that goes up from the mainsheet and then towards the lower mast fanning out through the sail material when close hauled, is opposed by the baby stay.
Some of these rigs also have a true inner forestay going to the second spreaders. With these the babystay is probably redundant, but if you just have the single forestay out with the roller genoa, then some experimentation might be required. My babystay could be removed which made gybing the spinnaker much simpler, but it, together with some higher aft checkstays, were needed in heavy weather to keep the mast in column.
The problem with in-line rigs is that the mast can 'pump' when sailing hard in to lumpy seas. The support loads for the rig, that goes up from the mainsheet and then towards the lower mast fanning out through the sail material when close hauled, is opposed by the baby stay.
Some of these rigs also have a true inner forestay going to the second spreaders. With these the babystay is probably redundant, but if you just have the single forestay out with the roller genoa, then some experimentation might be required. My babystay could be removed which made gybing the spinnaker much simpler, but it, together with some higher aft checkstays, were needed in heavy weather to keep the mast in column.
thinwater
Well-known member
Davits. I've watched enough people frog around hoisting tenders on deck to know I would never do it.
If I can't fit davits, like my PDQ, then I use a kayak (what I do on my F-24).
Before removing the inner stay I would check with the rig designer. I know of a mast that failed by inversion.
If I can't fit davits, like my PDQ, then I use a kayak (what I do on my F-24).
Before removing the inner stay I would check with the rig designer. I know of a mast that failed by inversion.
LadyInBed
Well-known member
Yes, but you have a Cat according to avatar.
Hoisting onto the fore deck of a mono hull using a spare halyard is no big deal providing that there are no obstructions such as a baby stay and it's not a RIB!
Tranona
Well-known member
Think you would be drummed out of the Brownies if you put davits on a Swan 46 - never mind the impracticality
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