Storm jib with dyneema luff

[Sy-Revolution]

Hi Folks,
I'm looking into sorting out a storm jib, I have roller reefing genoa and a baby stay but my shouds are in line with the mast so the only back tension is provided by the adjustable backstay so I can't use that (besides it's a fair way back from the bow and the triangle is small). My mast won't easily accomodate a second forstay either. I read somewhere (I think, or perhaps I was dreaming) that a solution would be to have the storm jib made up with a dyneema luff rope (instead of forstay) and tensioned by a halyard.

Has anyone used this method and if so is it worthwhile considering it as a solution, or have I just gone temporarily insane?

We sail shorthanded so ease of deployment is a factor.

What your view?

 

[MoodySabre]

I have a similar problem. My boat came with a storm jib but it is just a small hank-on jib with no hanks. The previous owner said they flew it from the halyard with a bridle at the foot attached to the cleats. So no luff rope or wire - a rubbish set-up and the sail is not now on the boat. The problem seems to be two-fold - where to attach the foot of the sail that is strong enough and getting sufficient tension on the luff - I'm not sure that a spinny halyard would get it tight enough for the winds that would warrant a storm jib.

I watch this thread with interest. The only answer seems to be a purpose made storm jib that goes round the furled headsail. Arun make a luff sleeve http://shop.sailmakers.com/shop/browse.html?cat=6
and Saturn make a wrap round http://www.saturn-sails.co.uk/stormjibs2.html

 

[sailinglegend420]

My solution was to only use dynema for the last yard or so to stop too much stretch, the rest of the forestay was standard wire. At the base of the mast I put a large sheave that the dynema goes around up to a standard forestay lever tensioner that is then secured to a fitting about three feet up the mast. I fitted a Seldon standoff hook to the spreader to hold the wire away from the mast to stop any flogging.

 

[MoodySabre]

This looks neat (but not cheap)
http://www.bluewatersupplies.com/storm_bag.htm

 

[Sy-Revolution]

http://www.bluewatersupplies.com/storm_bag.htm
That looks interesting although, as you say, a tad expencive. Neat though.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[Talbot]

ingenious solution to the problem of flying that version of the stormsail. However:

I would worry about chafe from the genoa sheet wrapped around the genoa

If you fingd the stormsail is too much, you have double the sail area to try to deal with in very wind conditions.

Not for me.

 

[Sy-Revolution]

Good point.