I have a 95 H26 that is new to me. I was wondering how tight the forward stay should be, I have a roller fuller and I am not real sure how to guage the tension. Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions.
Forward Stay Tension
- Thread starter BungalowBill
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forestay tension
It's not the tension that counts. It's how much mast rake you have, i.e., how much it leans aft. The proper rake is 6". You find this out by getting the boat level (in the water or using a surveyor's transit on the boot stripe, and letting the main halyard dangle (remove the boom). Make sure it's centered side to side, too and that you have the correct tension on all the side stays. It's a balancing act for sure, but once it's set, you're done - seize the forestay turnbuckle and forget it. Lots of stuff in the archives about this and about side stay tension. I set my side stays at 220 and 440 (lower/upper). Others go higher, few lower.
It's not the tension that counts. It's how much mast rake you have, i.e., how much it leans aft. The proper rake is 6". You find this out by getting the boat level (in the water or using a surveyor's transit on the boot stripe, and letting the main halyard dangle (remove the boom). Make sure it's centered side to side, too and that you have the correct tension on all the side stays. It's a balancing act for sure, but once it's set, you're done - seize the forestay turnbuckle and forget it. Lots of stuff in the archives about this and about side stay tension. I set my side stays at 220 and 440 (lower/upper). Others go higher, few lower.
The tension is important
For you do not need or want to have any sagg in the forestay. Try sailing to the wind with a slack one and see how poor your performance is.
For you do not need or want to have any sagg in the forestay. Try sailing to the wind with a slack one and see how poor your performance is.
rlewis is correct!
The length of the forestay determines the mast rake. That's the only adjustment that can be made with the forestay. How taught the stay gets is due to the tension placed on the shrouds and backstay. A loose rig will give a loose forestay, but have absolutely no change in rake. A tight rig will yield a tight forestay and still no change to rake.
The length of the forestay determines the mast rake. That's the only adjustment that can be made with the forestay. How taught the stay gets is due to the tension placed on the shrouds and backstay. A loose rig will give a loose forestay, but have absolutely no change in rake. A tight rig will yield a tight forestay and still no change to rake.
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