Tacking problem with baby stay

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Haggsinnorway

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As with all owner who's boats are blessed with a baby fore-stay tacking can be something of a challenge when the Genoa sheets catch, bowlines are not meant to come undone, they don't let go of baby stays either! Last winter I ordered a set of new sails from Doyle here in Norway, during the conversation prior to confirming the order Doyle's suggested installing a T-ring at the clew instead of the standard ring. It cost a little extra but I agreed to the suggestion, glad I did as tacking is much easier now - no bowlines to catch just eye splices on the sheets attached by a loop of rope and covered by sailcloth - tidy and very effective.
 
Instead of tying sheets to sails, I use one sheet which is double the length. At the mid point push through the standard ring, then pass the two bitter ends through the loop and pull tight.
Not hard to undo and doesn't slip.
 
I think there a number of boats still being produced with a baby stay, or cutter rig (Theres a boat test in this months YM of a boat with this type of rig, and Chris commented on the problem as part of his report) so the solution I suggest is current for possibly more folks than you think. Anyway if you are happy with your setup that's fine.
 
Haggsinnorway said:
I think there a number of boats still being produced with a baby stay, or cutter rig (Theres a boat test in this months YM of a boat with this type of rig, and Chris commented on the problem as part of his report) so the solution I suggest is current for possibly more folks than you think. Anyway if you are happy with your setup that's fine.
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I was referring to your comment about changing sheets while sailing, not the baby stay.
 
We have a baby stay and use standard bowlines but don't find it much of an issue - in spite of always trying to tack upwind rather than motoring, with a 140% genoa and often singlehanded.

Possibly very different with a cutter rig, where the stay is much further forward (and something I would personally avoid)
 
No way I can change sheets, take one off then put next on, while sailing, even if I did not get pulled overboard it gets very flappy, very quickly! But I do have two light airs sheets for the genoa, clip one (or both) on and take the load on it (them). Having done that I cannot see why would I need to "change" the primary sheet, unless mid-ocean and the sheet was badly damaged but once the load off then I guess I could tie on whatever I wanted? PS Even hove to I need the stepladder to reach the clew of the Yankee so all a bit hypothetical.
 
A soft shackle on the clew and spliced braid-on-braid sheets almost eliminate hang-ups on the babystay. And very quick to release for sail changing.
Genoasheets-1.jpg
 
I like Vyv's solution-simple and elegant. We have a cutter rigged yacht with a self tacking staysail. The 135% genoa was a swine to tack, especially in light winds. Many owners of similar boats had trouble with the same thing according to the owners association forum. The trick is to let the genoa or jib back before releasing the loaded sheet and then release it at the right speed to allow a smooth change of side. It is, of course, much easier with the staysail in use as the genoa or jib will whizz over the foil much easier than having to cope with the friction of the furled staysail. One owner replied that he never had a problem with his. He said that on his annual trip to Bermuda it was Port tack there-Starboard tack home! If only................
 
vyv_cox said:
A soft shackle on the clew and spliced braid-on-braid sheets almost eliminate hang-ups on the babystay. And very quick to release for sail changing.
Genoasheets-1.jpg
Click to expand...

Nice looking solution,although I was wondering: Does the expensive soft shackle soon get chewed up by chafing the babystay?
Also,has anyone tried those plastic tubes which clip on to the baby and spin? Thanks Jerry.
 
jerrytug said:
Nice looking solution,although I was wondering: Does the expensive soft shackle soon get chewed up by chafing the babystay?
Also,has anyone tried those plastic tubes which clip on to the baby and spin? Thanks Jerry.
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I use the soft shackle approach and it works very well, I have not noticed any damage to the soft shackle after a couple of seasons use, it is only in contact briefly with the baby stay during each tack.

The T ring does look neat if buying a new sail though.
 
Re the plastic tube on a baby stay, it probably depends on the clew height of the genoa as to whether it is any help.
Out boat had one on the baby stay when we got it, but got grotty so we removed it after a couple of years. With us it made no difference as sail slid just as easily over smooth wire as it did over the tube.
With a low genoa the times it did catch was the sheets catching on the tensioner wheel at the bottom of the stay. Solution was hacksaw to remove the adjustment wheel - never used it anyway, and can use a spanner on the nut underneath if need to release it.
 
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