inner forestay ericson 38

[len]

looking for info to add forestay to ericson 38 (for storm jib) - ? how you attached it to deck - ? reinforcement under deck - thanks

 

[Ted]

Baby Stay for 38

Take a look at ericsonyachts.org. Search the message boards there. Several folks have done this. The best way incorporates hyfield levers and attachment to the hull, under the vee berth.

 

[Kenneth Murata]

What PSC Says

I asked Pacific Seacraft the same question, noting that mid-80's Ericson 38s had an inner forestay option. Mark Kohlmann at support@pacificseacraft.com replied that "The only reinforcement typically required is a backing plate on the underside of the deck. You, will, however have to use your own judgement here. The inner stay does not handle a significant load relative to the perimeter standing rigging." I would take this to mean the design loads are more like halyard loads (2000 lbs) versus forestay loads (5000 lbs). One way to scope out the loads is to ask your sailmaker for the wire size used in a wire-luff stormsail of the size you want. Then 40% of the break load can be your design criterion. Also consider going with a wire-luff stormsail, rather than a fixed stay. That way you wont have to deal with stowing the inner stay on deck. Note a babystay typically has a different function from an inner stay, namely foreward support of the mast.

 

[Night Sailor2]

You MUST have a jumper stay!

I'm assuming your inner forestay will be 3/4 of the way up the mast and 3/4 the way to the bow. My Ericson 46 has a jumper stay from the deck to a reinforced area on the centerline of the cutwater. It is adjustable for mast bend. I also have two running backstays to counter the inner forestay.I recommend you do the same, or else you will rip out your deck--delaminating it at least. Install the runners if you don't want to snap the mast where the inner forestay is attached at the top of the mast.If you just want a second forestay, very close to the first, you can drill a hole through the cutwater and through bolt it directly under the forestay. If the top is close to the top of the mast, you won't need running backstays.

 

[Kenneth Murata]

My prior comments apply to Erickson 38's

I want to emphasize my prior comments apply to Ericson 38's. Some boats require jumper stays, others like the Ericson 38s look well reinforced in the likely foredeck area to add a padeye, just behind the anchor locker. This would also be the likely area to add a windlass also. In fact adding a jumper stay is complicated by the bulkheads under the deck, not to mention having to penetrate the V-berth. A bulkhead is present under the aft edge of the anchor locker. A second bridging bulkhead is present 8"" behind that. I would definitely make sure these elements are glassed properly to the hull to form a structural element that would properly transfer the inner forestay load.Are there any Ericson 38 owners with a factory inner forestay who care to comment?