Temporary Inner Forestay (again)

[BlueSkyNick]

As much as it pains me to say this, tome was correct in a recent post when he said I would not be able to get a spare halyard wire sufficiently tight to use as a forestay for the storm jib.

We tested it a couple of weeks ago in a gusting Force 1 off the west coast of Portugal having winched the halyard bar tight. The storm jib is standard size for the boat, and it was obvious from the amount of lateral movement, that the forestay will bend like a Beckham free kick in any sort of blow.

So now I am back to planning a temporary inner forestay once again. We have a very solid deck fitting in place, so that's not an issue.

I know about Wichard wheels (favoured) or a Highfield lever, so happy there too.

What I have not yet grasped is the need for some form of additional backstay. If I am flying a small jib instead of a furled genoa, the existing backstay still works - dunnit?

So when is additional back stay required?

 

[Danny Jo]

The additional backstay is required if your inner (demountable) forestay is attached below the top of the mast (and below the point of attachment of the standing backstay), which I think is the usual arrangement, and has the merit of keeping the top end out of the way of the furling gear at the head of the genoa.

Freestyle has such an arrangement. To counteract the tendency of the inner forestay to bend the mast she has (demountable) running backstays, attached to the mast at the same level as the inner forestay. These are brought aft to strong points on the decks beside the cockpit. They have block and tackle arrangements to allow the windward running backstay to be tightened. The leeward one is slackened so as not to interfere with the main.

 

[tome]

on masthead rig, provided inner is within a foot of outer on mast you won't need runners at all. That's the arrangement we use can posy some pics if you like

 

[BlueSkyNick]

no problem, seen them already I think. Just wanted to be sure, before I go any further.

 

[Salty John]

When you design the system think about where you are going to stow the inner forestay when not in use. If you want to stow it at the mast or at the rail alongside the mast be sure the stay articulates or separates far enough up it's length to achieve this. Otherwise you have a big loop of stay to contend with.

 

[FullCircle]

Here is a few photos of Full Circle arrangement

Wichard eye to reinforced bow roller plate behind roller reefing
Strop from eye to foot of storm jib
4:1 mainsheet arrangemnment leading back to coachroof winch
top of wire halyard in t tang to mast just under roller reefing exit.
stowed on extra pad eye close to shrouds for stowage

 

[BlueSkyNick]

nice pics thanks Jim - hope you don't need to hoist the storm jib too often when on the mooring. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[rwoofer]

Hi Nick,

A bit like Tome says, but on ours, inner forestay is more like 2 foot down from masthead. Apparently rigger says as long as continued line of forestay does not go past the backstay attachment point, no need for running backstays (which are far more hassle then they are worth).

Also found that you don't want it to bar tight cause having the sail fall away a bit, keeps nice clean air on the leeward side. Makes a difference upwind.

Presume this is all for the assault on Cap Finisterre....

 

[BlueSkyNick]

Thanks Richard.

Not just for Finisterre - but anytime. No point in having a storm jib in the locker if you can't actually use it.

Longer term, I would like a smaller working jib, eg No.3, to use on occassions when its blowing a bit, rather than use a furled genoa for too long.

 

[rwoofer]

I actually have a number 4 jib and no storm jib. Works fine up to 40 knots, not tried anything beyond that! Going the other way, it still keeps reasonable performance down to about 16 knots true (with full main of course), so all in all a very adaptable sail.

 

[Bajansailor]

Our removable inner forestay is secured to a substantial eyebolt about 3' aft of the main forestay. It has a quick release lever mechanism, but we tend to leave it rigged all the time for peace of mind, and just roll up the genoa when tacking.
However if we had to do a lot of close quarters tacking, yes, I would then unfasten the inner forestay.

We have a high cut 'yankee' type jib that hanks on to this inner forestay - it would be nice to have another hank-on sail about half way between this yankee and the roller genoa, but it is not essential.
As wind speed increases, we use the yankee when it becomes too much effort to crank in the roller genny (rather than reefing the genoa), and we still stomp along nicely with full main and yankee.
Also have a hank on storm jib but have never had to use it in anger yet.

 

[yoda]

I would agree with this and have seen guidance to that effect. Have fitted two like this now and both work well, one 30ft boat and one 44ft boat