Forestay Snapped

[Kris Cox]

My forestay must have been ready to go, because yesterday, as I unfurled my jib, it snapped. It looks like it severed at the edge of the fitting which attaches to the mast--just above my furler sleeve (which slips around the forestay) and just Fortunately, there was no other load on my mast at the time, so everything stayed in place. I rigged up my halyard as a temporary forestay and motored back to the marina. Now, I have to unstep the mast and replace the forestay. I have never done this before. Any suggestions? Where do I get one, How long should it be (I thought of measuring the one I have, but since my boat is is an '86, I'm betting the one I have has stretched). Are there any tricks I should know? Any suggestions are much appreciated!Kris"Clarity"

 

[Greg Stebbins]

I've done this on my 23.....

Kris,I replaced both main and jib on my 23 this year. I got the replacements from either West or Defender (I can't remember which) Their genetic halyards ore a pretty good deal at something less than $50.00 per.. The procedure is simple. I cut the end off the existing halyard and lashed the end. Next I lashed the end of the new halyard. I then stitched the end of the replacement line to the cut/lashed end of the old halyard. The rig then passed through the mast without incident. I was expecting a lot more "trouble" but found none.One point, The new halyards come with snap shackles attached. You will need to cut one off and replace with the main sail shackle. Not a "biggie" but has to be done.GregH23 Faster-

 

[Greg Stebbins]

Sorry, posted in wrong thread.

I really need 2 cups before I start.

 

[Gary Bridi]

Try this company

Kris, try paradigm-products.com. I emailed them and got an immediate response to my question. They sound loike they know what they are doing. Probably the best bet is to ship the old one to them. Good lusk. Gary

 

[Russ King]

Replace all the rigging...

When one wire stay fails, it's past time to replace all of them. I read somewhere (West Marine catalog?) that wire rigging should be replaced about every 7 years; you can go longer if you only sail in fresh water.It only makes sense that if one stay has weakened to the point where it failed, the other stays have probably weakened as well. Think of replacement as cheap insurance. If you don't replace all the stays, you could damage your mast, or boat, or passengers/crew the next time a stay fails. And certainly ruin an otherwise nice day.West Marine will sell a complete set of stays for practically any boat. When you replace the stays, replace the turnbuckles and other hardware at the same time (for the same reason). And carefully check the chainplates for wear."This Old Boat", by Don Casey, explains how to replace the rigging on any sailboat. Worthwhile reading.

 

[Steve Lucas]

Standing Rigging

I replaced all standing rigging this year on my 88 h23. I think Crazy Dave was the person who suggested a company called Seco South in Largo Fla. I used them and they were great! Hunter used Seco South to rig the boat originally so they must have a good track record. If I can find the phone number I will post it.Steve

 

[Mike]

BEFORE you start

Make sure you adjust the mast rake, as many/all of the H23's came with so much rake you could use it for a clothesline. Read Cliff's post - about 8" of rake/bend and the extreme weather helm will go away.