Stowing your inner forestay
Dave, on our '94 H40.5 we installed the optional inner forestay as well. We don't keep it installed on the mast year-round in our regular cruising grounds on the Columbia River, choosing instead to add it only when we are headed offshore. With it off of the boat most of the time, stowage and chafe are not really a problem, but I do have a suggestion for stowage in your case. In his book "The Rigger's Apprentice" Master Rigger Brion Toss presents a really excellent solution: get a long piece of 1/4 inch diameter bungee cord. Lead your detached stay aft and near the shrouds. Tie the bungee to the stay about 4 ft. above the deck. Tie it to something directly below on deck. Go back to the stay and tie again about 2 feet further down the wire. Tie to something a little further aft on deck. Tie the bungee to the stay again about 2 feet further aft, and then to the deck(a little further aft) again. The result is a stay curving gently aft while remaining suspended above the deck. The only possible chafe might be caused by the stay touching the lower spreader/shrouds. Or you can do this at the mast if that suits your deck better. Good Luck! Ron Hughes S/V "Best Revenge"
