How do you shorten forestay?

[Steve A.]

I sail a 1992 H28 that has the original roller-furler. I would like to shorten the forestay so the top of the mast moves forward about 4-6 inches. Has anyone taken apart the roller-furler unit to see how to shorten the forestay? Is there a turnbuckle inside or do I need to hire a rigger? Thanks.

 

[Benny17441]

Perhaps if we knew what you are trying to do we could give some useful advice.

 

[Claude L.-Auger]

I'm with Benny, we need more info to be able to help, i.e. why you want to move it that much ? Moving the top of the mast 4 to 6 inches will have a great impact on the handling of the boat. Are you sure that it is that far back ? Have you measured the distance between your main halyard hanging at deck level and the foot of the mast ? Type and brand of roller furler and perhaps a picture. This forum is great and you will get help but please you need to help us help you.

Add-on: 4-6 inches will probably be too much to be able to take in by tensioning a turn-buckle (if their is one) so you'll probably have to cut the forestay and install a Sta-Lok fitting. Might mean shortening one of the extrusions of the furler as well. And will you have enough back-stay length to allow you to move that much forward ?

 

[Dan Johnson]

Forestay...

You might be able to get a couple of inches forward movement at the masthead by loosening up the backstay turnbuckles and taking up on the forestay one. You'll need to loosen side stays too if you have swept-back spreaders such as on a B&R rig.

Doubt you could get more than that without a forestay replacement, and wonder why you would need that much.