Forestay length

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jcislanders's picture
jcislanders
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Joined: 9/12/19
Posts: 34
Forestay length

Hi all, hope you can help us figure out why our forestay is too long. 

We've rebuilt the mast step and the mast is now back in it's place.  The aft edge of the mast sits tight against the deck.  The boat came to us like this.  We hoped fixing the step would help but no luck.   We can't adjust it any better because the forestay is maxed out with plenty of play left in it and the back is tight.

According to the owner's manual the forestay length was different if you have a Hood Furler.  I'm not sure why that would be but am hoping one of you experts can explain it. 

The previous owners installed a new Alado furler and new standing rigging.  The backstay is almost too short which we can deal with.  The forestay requires much more effort.  Near as I can guess, they used the wrong dimensions when fabricating the new one.   Not sure why this wasn't dealt with at the time but maybe they didn't care or didn't realize it was going to annoy the next owners. 

Anyhow, thanks in advance for any help.

sv Sidetracked
1983 C36 MkI #0157
Nanaimo, BC

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Ray Taylor
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Joined: 9/11/19
Posts: 81

I’ve replaced standing rigging on 2 boats and the forestay is the hardest part.   

Our last boat was an early Catalina 28 and it had some hand written updates in the manual similar to whats shown (investigation determine this was probably done by Catalina). 

It’s important to understand that each roller furler manufacturer has a different method of attaching the forestay to the furler drum.  So, Harken, Hood, Schaefer, and Aldo all require a different  forestay length.

I suspect that your boat originally came from Catalina with a Hood furler (based on the modified notes in your manual),   So the length shown in your manual would be correct for that furler.

It is possible that the prior owner replaced the wire in-kind without compensating for the different furler.   This is a WAG on my part based on the information provided.   

When I compare the PDF Hood Furler manual in the technical section with information from the Aldo website there is some indication that your forestay may be 4 1/4” too long.  

If this is the case you can shorten your existing forestay using a mechanical fitting like a HiMod or Sta-Loc.  According to Aldos website their furler can be installed without going aloft.  Indicating the whole deal can be done at the deck.   

As a path foreword I would call Warren Pandy at Catalina in Florida and ask his advice.  Since the Adlo furler is designed to install over the existing headstay finding the standard pin to pin measurement on forestay (without any furler) would be helpful. 

Again this is a wild guess on my part.  

Good luck

Ray

Ray & Janice Taylor
"Mizu"
Hood River, Ore.
#2113 2002 TM
 

jcislanders's picture
jcislanders
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Joined: 9/12/19
Posts: 34

Thanks for the reply.

We took the forestay off today and measured it.  Turns out it is 45' 9 3/4"  which is exactly the suggested length for the Hood furler and 4 1/4" too long without it.  It seems reasonable to assume that the original setup was with the Hood furler and when they swapped it out they just reused the same forestay even though it was too long.  We were told the standing rigging had been replaced but maybe they didn't do it all.

The Alado furler sits very high on our stay so taking 4 inches off will only make things work better.  Hoping that fixing the tension issue will also help roll the sail up better. 

Now we just need to find the correct fitting to make it shorter.  The few places that will even answer the phone these days (and a couple online options) are suggesting a best case timeline of 3 to 4 weeks for a StaLok fitting.   I guess we aren't in that much of a hurry since the rendezvous was cancelled. 

At least it was a lovely day to go up the mast.  A bit unnerving with so much pavement below rather than water.....

sv Sidetracked
1983 C36 MkI #0157
Nanaimo, BC

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jcislanders
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Joined: 9/12/19
Posts: 34

Update: 

We were able to find someone who answered the phone today and even had a Hayn fitting in stock that would replace the eye on the forestay.

It was an hour drive but he cut 4.25" off and replaced the eye in less than 30 minutes and for much less than a Sta Lock fitting on Amazon.  This afternoon I was back up the mast to put it back on and it fits perfectly.  The furler is back on and hopefully we can put the sail on tomorrow. 

I'm curious to know if the tight rigging will help with the sail furling.  It never did look quite right....

sv Sidetracked
1983 C36 MkI #0157
Nanaimo, BC

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