Forestay Frolic

Sep 10, 2012
228
Hunter 450 Gulfport, Florida
I am here just to vent a bit! Two years ago I replaced the forestay upon inspection of the rig, it had a kink about two thirds of the way up and no corresponding damage to the foil, so someone replaced the foil and left the kink. Saturday it parted, I am not yet sure where the failure occurred as I have not yet lowered the furler and sail down to the deck. It really surprised me that when it failed the rig did not come down but was held by the sail. I quickly used my spinnaker halyard to help secure the rig at least as well as I could and then rolled in the sails. I couldn't generate enough tension on the halyard to actually draw the mast into the side stays so there remained mast motion forward and back as well as side to side, but it was good enough to nurse it back to the marina. Hopefully tomorrow I will lower the distressed assembly and see what happened. I am truly amazed that the sail held the mast up and when I was delicately maneuvering from the Gulf I watched intently for an indication that the jury rig was failing cause that big stick coming down would not be a pretty sight. Could have been phenomenally worse.
 
Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
For sure a good save. And yes the luff of a good sail will support the rig.

Did you totally release the backstay? That would have made keeping the rig taunt easier.
 
Sep 10, 2012
228
Hunter 450 Gulfport, Florida
B & R rig no backstay! I still give credit to the sail for holding I really would not have thought the sail was that good, it flies well though.
 

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
23,403
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Great save.
 
Sep 10, 2012
228
Hunter 450 Gulfport, Florida
......update.....Took the boat to a rigger, let me first state that there are very few things I will defer to someone other than myself to fix. I usually feel this way not because I have boundless energy or massive amounts of empty time, but rather I am not pleased with the end result in terms of quality. I had the headstay replaced two years ago due to a nasty kink concealed within an undamaged foil. The rigger I now took the boat to was looking with binoculars and thought he was seeing the problem that caused the failure, I had also looked before and couldn't see anything definitive. It turns out when the previous rigger attached the stay, he attached it to the hollow aluminum spacer at the mast head and not the 5/8 stainless pin that is designed to actually hold the mast up. It was a seriously tough spacer, but it was simply waiting to give in to physics. Reattached, retuned.
 

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
23,403
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
That is a rigger who knows his stuff. Looked for the substance not just the surface issue. Nice find. Keep him properly fed.
 
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Likes: pateco
Sep 10, 2012
228
Hunter 450 Gulfport, Florida
He is a vegetarian so I would have an issue understanding how to actually "properly" feed him. Ever met a vegetarian rigger?
 

SFS

.
Aug 18, 2015
2,088
Currently Boatless Okinawa
@dehler25 - I am in St. Pete, and am considering having some rigging work done. Sounds like this rigger needs to be in my life. Can you PM me a name and contact info? I'll report back on vegetarian menus.
 

pateco

.
Aug 12, 2014
2,207
Hunter 31 (1983) Pompano Beach FL
He is a vegetarian so I would have an issue understanding how to actually "properly" feed him. Ever met a vegetarian rigger?
Here are a couple of Suggestions.

If he is just vegitarian:
Vegetarian Eggplant Lasagna
But if he is a real Vegan (I live with one of those)LOL
Eggplant Lasagna (Gluten Free, Vegan, Soy Free, Dairy Free, Corn Free)
My wife makes one similar to the second one, but substitutes KiteHill Vegan Ricotta for the Bechamel sauce. it is really quite delicious
 
Last edited:
Sep 10, 2012
228
Hunter 450 Gulfport, Florida
I was having a little fun with the idea that a man in a physical job would be a vegetarian as it would seem somewhat contrary to the stereotype but certainly not exclusionary.
 

SFS

.
Aug 18, 2015
2,088
Currently Boatless Okinawa
@dehler25 - I was using humor too, but I don't want that to cover up the serious request - I'd love to get in touch with this rigger. Can you get me contact info? It would not be a burden to move the boat to Bradenton for quality work.
 
Jun 27, 2004
113
Hunter 34 New Bern, NC
On my H34 the forestay failed because the bearing in the furler was binding and caused the stay to work itself every time the furler was used. This may be a good time to replace the furler.