Forestay Tension

[Tim Diebert]

Does anyone know (Mike?) about what kind of pull is exerted on the forestay of a stock weekender?

Thinking about using a furler that is rated up to 900lbs.

[capt jake]

Tim, I used swivels for my furler that are also rated to #900. A simple set-up (without and wind) showed me that this was too much tension for the swivels to perform properly.

I then installed another forestay about 2" forward of the previous forestay. This stay holds the mast while the original one is used simpley to hoist and furl the jib. Nice thing is, you can always lower the jib if there are any problems with it (withough lowering the mast).

I am sure the tension is less than #900 but???

[Tim Diebert]

Right....so you used (are using) the Harken unit then Jake?

This is the exact info I was looking for firedude.

I was actually planning the fixed wire stay and the 2nd furler 'stay'.....but was looking for a possible simplification.

What did you end up doing at the upper swivel to secure that end's halyard from winding up...or does the swivel run free with simple line tension?

I am not sure yet if I am going to use a furler (I would prefer to...) but may just go with an old timey lower single pully just to be able to bring the tack to the foredeck to stow or set the sail......for now.

Did you go with an inner stay as well? Or provisions to set one?

Now that I think of it....I can't remember seeing pix of you sailing your boat....or on the water....did I just miss this or what? I know you have launched and sailed.....I have just not seen evidence of it.......~:0)

I have another question...one that has also been bugging me.

I have never sailed a boat with a furler, so I may be wondering about something that is a no brainer (sure wouldn't be the first time).

When the headsail (in my case a larger lapper) is nicely rolled up....how do you secure the two sheets? It seems to me they end up at about 1/2 distance up the stay. If I have set a stay sail on the inner wire, how the heck do you keep a nice 'square' pull on the sheets to keep the lapper wound tight and secure.....and not have the sheets foul the action of the staysail?

If the sheets run 'down' (in order to be out of the way of the staysail) and are belayed to a cleat somewhere.......I envision the rolled up sail getting all loose and stupid for not having a square pull. Do you get what I mean?

The weather got very nice about two weeks ago so I have been out tearing apart Annie M again. Working on the transom/rudder/'keel' area this spring. Hoping to get the new cutter rig done early on and eventually doing a topsail rig as well. Replacing some running rigging as I go along. Anybody see any particularly good deals on 50' of 3/8 quality line? Nothing fancy. I am looking to upgrade from my crap 5/16 Home Despot stuff. I had a Main Sheet tangle that was crazy last year. Hoping to eliminate that to some degree with finer line.

Daphne and I drove down to the lake yesterday. Man, It would have been a perfect day for a sail. Solid sunshine and a steady 10 knots over the whole lake...all ten miles of it. It is just a tad cold yet. Hopefully we will get wet again in April some time.

[Tim Diebert]

...oh, OK. So if you wrap a bit of the sheets around...then it might be ok to take them down to a lower angle. Gatcha. Thanks Beaker.

[capt jake]

I'm not using the Harken, but one very similar. No problem with the halyard twisting, so I haven't had to make one of the 'no twisty thingies'.

I secure the furling line with a jam cleat. You only need one as you will only need it when the jib is furled (or rolled up).

I will try to catch up on your questions in the near future; I am plumb busy at the moment.