Removeable forestay

[30boat]

I am making a removeable forestay for my Fulmar that will be used mainly for setting my small high clewed jib for windward work when things get a little tougher.I have a Kemp laminated roller genoa but I like it to much to subject it to such hard use and the small high aspect ratio sail will be more efficient anyway.
I came up with what I consider to be a good solution for the mast fitting(almost no holes in the mast) and the lower bits have also been sorted out.I(f anybody is interested I can send pics).
My problem is:I have an older 6mm forestay in good condition that I was considering using on the grounds that loads will be smallish(small sail) but maybe I'm being cheap.I'd have to fit a new stalok terminal and there is a not very old one on the wire already so I can trust the terminals wich is where failures usually happen.I could save some dosh here but mabe it's not worth the risk.
Opinions??

 

[William_H]

Being one of the short arms and deep pockets variety I would say go for it. most failures of rigging wire I have seen occur near the terminals so if you cut a bit off both ends it should be fine especially as you won't lose the mast if it fails. good luck will

 

[simonfraser]

sounds reasonable, provided the middle bit of the stay is undamaged

 

[LORDNELSON]

A couple of thoughts: How old is the "old 6mm forestay" and more importantly how much has it been used in the past, that is, has been in extended use implying many reversals of stress? It is sometimes difficult to fit Stalok terminals to old, previously stressed, wire which has acheived a permanent set in it.

 

[FullCircle]

As anyone who muses my posts will know, I am not a doomsayer in most matters. What you are proposing is just what I am having fitted to my SO35 - an emergency storm jib forestay to complement my roller genoa.
If we assume that it is 'sticky' as you put it, you will want equipment that has only a extremely remote chance of failure. Therefore an old forestay is just that - old.
My plan is to have a stowing forestay that is attached and tensioned to the reinforced deck area by main sheet tackle with 6:1 purchase . It will be stowable at the base of the mast. Common sense says this ought to be a new item, and like all other orange items, hopefully will never be used.

 

[tome]

Jim

I have a removable inner forestay for the same reason. However, I use it much more than I'd planned as I can also hank on a No 3 jib which is brilliant for short-tacking in a decent breeze. In fact, I set it in anything more than 15 knots true if going to windward. It makes the helm much more balanced, maintains boat speed and saves wear on my big furling genoa. So I no longer regard it just as a piece of orange equipment.

Tom

 

[ashanta]

That's exactly what I have. When not in use it is stowed alongside one of the side stays. When in use you have to have the abity to tension the stay just as you would your normal forestay. Therefore it's important to have sufficient purchase to tension fully for going to wind otherwise you will not be able to sail close enough to windward. Although it's a smaller high aspect sail it will still create tremendous pressure going to wind.
Regards.

Peter.

 

[30boat]

Thanks for your replies

I haven't spent all that much allready so despite the small chance of the wire failing(it's old ,20 years+)I think I'll use new one with cheaper but equally effective swaged in terminals.And as long as the rigging is all 7 mil(8 for the forestay) I'll go for 7 too.I suspect I'm going to get a lot of use out of it.There's nothing more annoying than a badly setting roller reefed genoa.I'd rather think of the roller gear as a furler instead of a reefing system.
No off to the top of the mast again to check that everything fits.I get quite a nice vue from there.

 

[30boat]

Jim
Do you think you can get enough tension with a 6:1 tackle?I would go for 16:1 purchase at least.I made myself a 16:1 kicking strap that's very compact and immensely powerful.Can send you a picture if you're interested.
Nuno

 

[Guest]

My guess is that the loadings will be at least as great as your permanent forestay. Although the sail is a smaller area, the wind will be that much stronger. I regularly use my removeable forestay with a No.4 genoa, which works a treat - the boat takes off like a rocket compared to using a rolled genoa. But the loadings are very heavy, and I would not expect them to get less if switching down to a storm jib in a gale.

 

[William_H]

Both Tome and SimonCr are getting around to what I have always said - roller reefing of jibs is for the birds. Sure I sail ina windy place with fairly predictable winds and don't often use a number 1 but when the wind is light it is not much trouble to hank a no 1 on while no 2 and 3 work really well and will drive the boat nicely when pottering. Only one guy out of a fleet of 30 regular racers use roller reefing and it tells with poor performance to windward. Having said that I think this afternoons race might be a rare no 1 day just to prove me wrong. Is he (me) an idiot or just stirring? I would hate to think that new comers to sailing think a roller reefing is obligatory. olewill

 

[tome]

[ QUOTE ]
Only one guy out of a fleet of 30 regular racers use roller reefing

[/ QUOTE ]

Many of us are not regular racers but cruising sailors, and a large furling genoa is a superb sail in many conditions. For the occasions when there is too much wind, the inner forestay and hanked-on sails are great but I wouldn't want to lose the convenience of being able to quickly stow my main driving sail from the cockpit.

 

[Guest]

Absolutely. The main usefulness is quick stowage if you're short handed. I rarely use it to reef. The other advantage of it is it saves stowing the No.2 down below, saving stowage space.

Having said that, when I have to replace my sails I will be very tempted indeed to go back to a hank on system. Probably I will. I would definitely do so if always sailing with at least one other experienced sailor on board.

I agree that newcomers to sailing should be encouraged to realise that roller reefing isn't necessarily the best system. Personally, I find the physical pleasure of sailing multiplied severalfold by the sight of a well setting sail, and the extra speed, and general feeling of responsiveness (difficult to define) at the helm.

 

[FullCircle]

Will,

I was a regular hairy chest for years, and introduced myself to 2 bits of kit last year -
1. The Facnor furling Gear. Went a bit racy and had it bi-radial with low cut to the deck, and it sets well, but I restricted it to 135%. Very good, but as others say, it wont claw me off a leeshore.
2. Cruising Chute. Again, went a bit racy and had tri radial, so a hybrid asymetric really.
About 0.85 of a full IOR size spinnakr (showing age). Brilliant, and tack it downwind at 150 degrees.

These were brought about because I was (still am!) teaching Lynn to sail, and we will now always be short ar even singlehanded. I am astonished that sailing can be considered a relaxing affair, and I don't get wet normally up the pointy end in weather.
I think the idea of a Number 3 maybe considered late, but then again, unless in mortal peril, I am too bloody lazy to do much about it now. Hence the purcahse of a very cruisy, grossly overweight Jeanneau SO35 Lift Keel. Not much racing pedigree there.
I will have to look into the purchase thing, but I guess the 6:1 is being led back to a winch on the coachroof, so should be adequate.



Jim