Removeable forestay

[amayotte]

I currently have a roller furled 150% genoa as my primary/only headsail but would like to use a working jib/storm jib when desired without having to remove the genoa.
So...I was wondering if anyone has ever set up a removable inner forestay for this very reason?
If so could you tell me how you set it up?

I was thinking I could run another forestay from the head of the mast to another chainplate at the bow and when not in use I could attach it to my forward lower shroud.


Thanks,
Adam

[Chrysler20%26]

I plan to add another forestay to my C-26, for the same reason as you. My added forestay will be forword if the roller furler.

[amayotte]

If you add the forestay forward of the furler, how will you tack without getting your sail fouled?
Will you make your forestay removeable?
What will you use to tension the forestay if it is removeable?

Thanks,
Adam

[Chrysler20%26]

In order to tack?? I would not be able to tack. Would only use a storm jib. I have the bow extenson, for the ancor. So the added forestay would go from top of mast around the roller on bow extension to the eye on the bow. I am learning about roller furler, never used one yet. Have to wate for spring, all I can do is think about sailling till then.

[lecker68]

I have a 170 Genoa and a furler and when I need a storm jib I furl as much in as I need and make the furler fast.

[amayotte]

I have a furler with a 150 and have tried to furl it during storms but have some issues.
I find that I have a hard time getting proper sail shape once I start furling and in higher winds I have a really hard time flattening the sail.
Maybe I'm doing something wrong.
I usually adjust my jib leads so that I pull at an angle that bisects the furled genoa, putting equal pressure on the leach and foot.

Adam

[Windward]

Adam, it's on my list of things to do that are as yet undone. Look on the interweb for "solent stay", which is probably the best route.

You need a bomb-proof attachment point on deck (tied into the stem), just far enough back to clear your furling drum. Through-bolt the upper attachment point no lower than the upper shroud tangs, preferably higher. That way the current backstay should still be able to take the load and you won't need to rig running backstays.

You can use a wire stay, with a turnbuckle or quick adjuster at the deck. Some people use high-tech line (amsteel or dyneema or something similar) with a tackle at the deck end. For a sleeker alternative, go back a century or two and use deadeyes http://www.apsltd.com/c-210-precourtsys ... mbles.aspx. You could also attach a serious block to the mast tang, then run down through a clutch and use a mast-mounted winch to tension it. Could even do that as a 2:1, if you wanted to get more tension.

Another variant, to avoid having to hank it on whilst bouncing around on deck. Instead of a solent stay, run two high-tech halyards to the masthead tang. Keep the storm jib itself hanked to a high-tech line almost as long as you'd make the solent stay, with a snap shackle on the tack end and a loop spliced into the head end. Clip the snap shackle to your deck padeye, then clip the snap shackle on one of your halyards to the spliced eye and tension it hard, using the mast winch. That will serve as your inner forestay. Then use the other halyard to actually raise the sail. This would work best if your storm jib was built with a pretty solid luff rope or wire, so that it could accept additional tension to minimize headstay sag.

Yet another option would be to make a sleeve that would permit you to raise the jib over the furled genoa, as with the Gale Sail. Not as slick as the inner stay, but much easier to set up.

One variation that has been suggested is to get a good 100% or 110% jib and keep it on your furler. Use the removable inner stay for your big genoa (or hoist it on its own non-reefable furler). Easy enough to deal with the big jib when breeze is 12 knots or so; the 100-110 will be fine from there on up and can accommodate a fairly good blow when partially furled. Beyond that, it's back to the inner stay for the heavy wx or storm jib.

Any of that hurried outburst make sense to you?

[EmergencyExit]

Jeff/Adam, there was a post on the Cal yahoo group recently from someone on the subject of a solent stay. The link they provided from their project is below:

http://www.svsarah.com/Sarah/ewUpgradeSolentStay.htm

[Jmckamey]

You could fly them at the same time and have almost have a schooner!

[amayotte]

Right on, thanks for the replies and all the ideas.
Jeff, you always have some good ones.

EmergencyExit, that site is wicked. I am printing it now and will read that over some coffee today.
Getting excited.

Adam