E32 Inner forestay
Date: February 20, 1999
From: Stan Howell stanh@kpt.nuwc.navy.mil
The headsail is on a roller furling, which is nice for the area we sail. But I also have three other headsails of various sizes that have hanks. I have been trying to decide if I should convert them to the furler or see if it is possible to put in a removable innerstay directly aft of the forestay, and leaving the sails in their original configuration. Any thoughts on that?
Date: February 20, 1999
From: Steve Glick boatsri@cyberzone.net
Hi Stan,
I guess my first question would be your purpose. My second question would be what you mean by "removable". The answers to the above would give us all a little more to ponder. As for myself, I sail and rig by the KISS philosophy. Maybe I'm just getting
old.
Date: February 21, 1999
From: Robert G. Chamberlain rchamber@iname.com
As I see it, there could be a couple of problems but it depends on how the stay is setup. A lot of boats have removable inner stays. On these installations the deck is built to accommodate the additional load and the mast will usually have running backstays. Both the deck and mast must have this additional support or damage is likely. If you changed the masthead box to add an additional sheave you might be able to eliminate the running backstays but neither sail would be directly on the center line of the boat. Also by placing one stay behind the other the shape of the sail changes and you will probably introduce some weather helm. After reading a couple of the Pardey's books I can see some advantages to not having roller furling. The changing of sails to match weather conditions is must easier but obviously there are huge tradeoffs to the weekend or casual sailor.
"Ocean Navigator" had an article in the Jan/Feb issue on "Sloop to Cutter" that might answer some of your questions.
Date: February 21, 1999
From: Paul Uhl endvr32@endeavourowners.com
In the January 15, 1999 issue of Practical Sailor, on the back page, a reader posed the exact same question. I highly recommend that you read it. They (PS) briefly outline many of the issues you need to consider (placement, reinforcement, alignment, fixed vs detachable, balance), books to read, etc. They indicate that if your boat is balanced now, it probably won't be after the addition of a staysail, but that a navel architect should be a priority unless you fully understand the issues and ramifications. They also note that the addition of an inner forestay is one of the more popular retrofits, and if done right, can be very useful for heavy air. Do it wrong, and a nice boat can become a 'crank'.
Date: February 21, 1999
From: Capt' Luther Carrier Lelair@aol.com
Greetings, From the Deck of ' LE LAIR DE LA MER'
I have entertained this idea also. I like the concept of the innerstay, giving you greater control in a variety of winds, points of sail and seas. It has been recommended to me, that a naval architect should be consulted. I shall be interested in what you come up with. I own a 33' sloop and enjoy getting out in the Gulf.
Date: February 21, 1999
From: Robert G. Chamberlain rchamber@iname.com
As I see it, there could be a couple of problems but it depends on how the stay is setup. A lot of boats have removable inner stays. On these installations the deck is built to accommodate the additional load and the mast will usually have running backstays. Both the deck and mast must have this additional support or damage is likely. If you changed the masthead box to add an additional sheave you might be able to eliminate the running backstays but neither sail would be directly on the center line of the boat. Also by placing one stay behind the other the shape of the sail changes and you will probably introduce some weather helm. After reading a couple of the Pardey's books I can see some advantages to not having roller furling. The changing of sails to match weather conditions is must easier but obviously there are huge tradeoffs to the weekend or casual sailor.
"Ocean Navigator" had an article in the Jan/Feb 1999 issue on "Sloop to Cutter" that might answer some of your questions.
Date: February 22, 1999
From: Bradd Wilson marina@portcolborne.com
If the roller Furler is your largest sail and you're thinking of hanking on smaller headsails for windward work, tensioning the removeable forestay will be the main problem. Without tension, the sail will sag producing too much draft, poor pointing and overpowering. This is probably not what you had in mind when changing to a smaller sail. If you want to have 2 headsails for poling out and downwind work however, it should work fine.
Date: February 22, 1999
From: Laura Deere lmdeere@swbell.net
We have installed an inner forestay on ours. That way we don't have to just depend on the roller. We have a working jib, a storm jib and a Large Geneoa this give us multiple options.
