Forestay measurment

[TJBurkett]

Does anyone know the length (pin to pin)and diameter of the forestay on
a series I vega?

I have to replace my forestay. The problem is that I have roller
furling which complicates the whole process imeasurably. I'm also
learning that finding a rigger here in Baltimore is a real hassle.

I'm thinking of chucking the whole roller furling thing. It sure is
handy, but the complications of replacing the forestay here in port
have got me thinking what I would do if I was cruising.

Tom

 

[kanderson4unc]

I have never had to replace my forestay as it was very new when i
got Incognito, but i do have to say i wouldn't be caught anywhere
offshore with a roller furler. The stories of breaking furling
lines, which of course are seldom replaced or thought about till
they are really needed, which is when they are heavily loaded and
break, and other problems associated with a jib that won't come down
when you want it terrify me. A buddy and i sailed a beefed up Cape
Dory Typhoon, 18.5 feet, to the Bahamas from Ft. Lauderdale, and
fought a nice fresh storm in the last thirty miles or so, had a lot
of drinks bought for us when a 50ish footer was towed in the next
day, roller furler malfunctioned, his jib was in tatters, his rig
almost completely destroyed from the force of his jib being fully
unfurled with those heavy gale winds, and wrapping itself around
shrouds etc. I like to know the jib will come down when i want it
too. Not to mention all the problems with sail shape, and weight. I
love using my drifter and smaller jibs, cant do that with a furler,
well without an internal forestay. This is getting long... signing
off.

karl

 

[vega1860]

Hi Tom,

I've replaced my rig twice now and neglected to record the length of
the shrouds and stays both times. The original wire was 3/16 inch (Or
the metric equivalent) This last time, following the recommendations
of the rigging shop, I used 1/4 inch for the head stay. Not really
necessary, I know but, considering our plans and our experience last
summer, I figured it couldn't hurt.

You could replace your roller rig with a conventional stay by first
securing a halyard to the bow cleat, taking up the slack on the
halyard winch and securing to a mast cleat to temporarily replace the
headstay. Take the roller stay down and measure or do the math to
come up with a rough length and buy the wire and two Sta-Loc or
Norseman fittings. Attach one fitting to the end of the wire and take
it up and attach it at the masthead toggle then cut the bottom to
length and attach the other fitting. Adjust using a turnbuckle/bottle
screw. Cost about $200, maybe less, for wire, end fittings,turnbuckle
and beer.

Malie ke kai

Chuck Rose
SV Lealea, V1860
Is it Summer Yet?

 

[groundhogyh]

I used my digital calipers to measure the size of the railings on my 1973 vega #1813.
I measured on the straight sections and got a little less than 25 mm. Like 24.88 mm (0.979 inch).

As was mentioned, the tubes are not perfectly round, so I got different diameters if I moved the calipers.

I also tried to divide out different values of english measurements, like 15/16, or 31/32 nds of an inch, but did not get any english measurements that seemed to make sense.

So, I think the railings are supposed to be 25mm, but the tubes came out slightly less.
Or maybe the sockets all were 25mm in diameter and the tubes were ordered slightly less than 25mm intentionally?

rb

 

[vegatern]

Speaking of the forestay . . . Most of my hanked on headsails
are old but still serviceable, except that they have wire luffs that
have developed a scalloped look, I assume from being folded away for a
long time. I thought that by stretching them out in a bit of wind, I
might straighten them, but have had only a little success. When I
mentioned that I was thinking of replacing the wire with a synthetic
rope luff a neighbor suggested going to a taped luff and a foil
system, such as Tuff-Luff. Has anyone had experience with the
Tuff-Luff on a Vega and is it suitable for cruising? I have no plans
to race. Would I gain any pointing advantage? Any comments are
appreciated. Craig

 

[groundhogyh]

I've read (but not experienced) that one issue with
Foil vs hanked is that when dropping the sail the
hanked remain attached to the forestay.
When you drop the foil headsail it may be tough
To manage. That's all I remember on the specific difficulty.
I think u do get better wind flow with foil.
Rb

Sent from my iPhone

 

[vegatern]

Of course you're right Roy. I should have recognized that
immediately. Craig

 

[vega1860]

Tom,

Both Sta-Lok's and Norseman's are very easy. I am preparing a brief
article for the VORM on rigging with Sta-Lok's including a short video
to show just how simple it is. I'll try to get it up on the web site
in the next few days. If its not there by the time you're ready drop
me an email and I'll send it to you.

Chuck

 

[brockhaus77]

I believe we already had a little "flame war" about roller furling
vs. hank-on a little while back; however I'm just puzzled why you
say that a roller-furling jib cannot be dropped? Of course it has to
be totally unfurled, and it does have a foil inside a groove instead
of hanks, but it can be lowered with the halyard just like an ordinary
jib. (At least this is true for some of the more modern designs - I
used to have an old furler on a wire which was a royal pain).

- Sebastian (V1060)