Headstay attachment pulling away from deck

[rickwarner]

I thought that I would pass along my experience while installing a new furler on my Cherubini 30. The stock forestay is attached at the very tip of the forestay bracket, a tang that runs over the bow. Installing a furler at this same attacment point would have interfered with the pulpit as well as the bow light. I moved the toggle attachment back a few inches to clear this, but when the forestay was retensioned, the plate began to slowly pull away from the deck. I have included a photo. The solution came with removing the furling unit again, and placing a stout 1/4" aluminum backing plate under the two bolts that hold the other end of the bracket to the deck. It is not uncommon for boats to be lacking in the number of backing plates. I also replaced the phillips head bolts with hex head bolts so they can be snugged down if needed. The next task is to tie the ends of these two bolts down to the metal strip that run down the edge of the bow in order to transfer the stress of the forestay to the strongest point. If you are thinking of installing a furling unit on one of these good old boats, do not forget to install backing plates a method of transferring the load.

 

[Debra B]

Should be tied into the piece on the bow

Just like chain plates... there is a tremendous amount of tension on the stay when the wind is up. Thru-bolting even with a backing plate may not be enough.

 

[Tampa]

Ed

The more common way to deal with this is to cut the bottom tube out of the pulpit to make room for the furler. that keeps the load on the strap over the bar. Be sure to check the welded point between the deck plate and the strap over the bow. could be cracked from the bending. The post is a good one and a workable solution if the plate is anchored thru to the bow plate as described.