fractional head stay?

[ambrichard]

I recently purchased an 1976 O'day 22 fractional rig with the taller mast (too tall?). Trying to identify the precise model of my boat has been difficult. The internet sites give conflicting and some times confusing specifications. The keel is shoal draft, fixed.
I'm trying to get her ready for spring sailing and on closer inspection I note that the fractional forestay where it meets the mast is compromised. Half the strands have parted. Would anyone have or know the availability of this item?
I suppose I can have one made up, but after the cost of repairing and replacing the sails I don't have much budget left over. I wonder if the top 8 inches could be spliced to an 8 inch replacement cable?
Appreciate any suggestions.
Capt. Albert

 

[25yearslater]

Are you sure this is not a PO hydbrid? My 78 22 was masthead rigged as were all the other 22s I was aware of at the time. You might try D&R Marine and the infamous Rudy Nickerson who was the purchasing agent for Oday. The shoal draft keel arrangement was great for trailering but loved to drift when sailing close hauled and heeling over about 10 degrees. I remember having to tack several times heading out the Genesee River while the bigger keel boats made it a straight shot. You've got a really neat boat so hopefully you can find out what's up or what you need.

 

[jackhartjr]

They did have several models of the 22 with a fractional rig, I will have to do some research to tell you what models.
Rudy at D&R is a very good source of info. Call him as oppossed to emailing him.
Jack

 

[Shoaldrafter]

modified mast

I recently purchased an 1976 O'day 22 fractional rig with the taller mast (too tall?). Trying to identify the precise model of my boat has been difficult. The internet sites give conflicting and some times confusing specifications. The keel is shoal draft, fixed.
I'm trying to get her ready for spring sailing and on closer inspection I note that the fractional forestay where it meets the mast is compromised. Half the strands have parted. Would anyone have or know the availability of this item?

I suppose I can have one made up, but after the cost of repairing and replacing the sails I don't have much budget left over. I wonder if the top 8 inches could be spliced to an 8 inch replacement cable?
Appreciate any suggestions.
Capt. Albert

------------------------- // ---------------------------------------
Captain Albert:

If you have a modified boat and the fractional rig was installed aftermarket, getting new stay will have to equally aftermarket and exact. I recommend emailing JSI in Florida and ask for approximate price using your length. You may find that if you try to use current stay by swagging new fitting and using extension you have half the cost of a new exact replacement. And new would give you confidence in forestay.

If their price is reasonable, I know their turnaround is good. See:
http://www.newjsi.com/rigging_sail.aspx
You just send them the old stay and they make a duplicate.

Sailboats break mast and that is often reason someone buys a bargain. Then they look at yards around and find used mast that comes close.

Ed K
26

 

[jackhartjr]

http://www.drmarine.com/

Here is Rudy's link.
According to his site the Fractional rigs were built from 79 to 84.
What is your Hull Identification Number, (HIN)? It may be that your boat is newer than you think.
Jack

 

[25yearslater]

I think you are right Jack. The 22 fractional rig came about in 79 along with greater displacement and ballast and then the swing keel. I wonder if he has an older model with a newer rig or as you say a newer model altogether. Check your hull ID number ambrichard and let us know.

 

[Joe11688]

I recently purchased an 1976 O'day 22 fractional rig with the taller mast (too tall?). Trying to identify the precise model of my boat has been difficult. The internet sites give conflicting and some times confusing specifications. The keel is shoal draft, fixed.
I'm trying to get her ready for spring sailing and on closer inspection I note that the fractional forestay where it meets the mast is compromised. Half the strands have parted. Would anyone have or know the availability of this item?
I suppose I can have one made up, but after the cost of repairing and replacing the sails I don't have much budget left over. I wonder if the top 8 inches could be spliced to an 8 inch replacement cable?
Appreciate any suggestions.
Capt. Albert

Capt. Albert,
Don't take any shortcuts with stays. It's better to replace them all than to lose your mast. Years ago, I had a lower stay let go and my mast bent in half and landed in the water at the flick of an eye. All I heard was a loud crack and when I looked, my mast was in the water. It was insured at the time, but the bill came to $2400 with a $500 deductible on my insurance.

 

[Sunbird22358]

The fractional rig (taller mast) 22 was introduced in the 1980 model, the 1973-79 models all had the shorter masthead rig. The 1973-78 models had the shoal-keel (1'11" draft), the 1979-83 models had the K/CB, there never was a swing-keel model of the 22.
I agree with Joe on replacing the forestay NOT fixing it, yes...maybe the rest of the wire is fine and a new swage at the top will fix it, but I consider that "penny-wise and pound foolish", aka..... why risk it? Replace the entire stay and consider replacing all the standing rigging sooner rather than later, replacing all the standing rigging will give you more confidence in the rig.

My guess is that htis boat has been upgraded by a previous owner, remember though..... the newer (1980-83) models also had more ballast, this was partly offset by their shallower draft, but 200# more lead i nthe 1980-83 keels (even considering the shallower keel) would still seem to better balance the taller (and more sail area) rig of the newer models. Did the PO also add more ballast? Rudy can give you the dimensions of the taller rig to compare to what is on your boat, that may help to tell whether this is rig is one from a newer 22 or if it came from a different boat. Any good rigging shop can replace the stays using the old ones as templates.