Second headstay

[Jose Venegas]

Two different sail makers have told me that having a second headstay to hoist a storm jib is the only acceptable solution to avoid removing the furled genoa in heavy air conditions. Is this true? If so, I would appreciate practical information about adding a second headstay to a 361 Beneteau.

 

[Steve Dion]

Here is an alternative!

Jose:Here is an alternative. (http://www.atninc.com/gale.html)I do not think that you would ever be happy with an inner stay. This would make normal tacking a real pain.Check it out and let us know what you think.

 

[Ed Carrillo]

Storm Jib

I will agree with the sail makers that by the time it is blowing hard enough to warrant installing as storm jib it will be quite a shore to lower a genoa. Pointing into the wind, unfurling it and lowering is much easier said than done with the wind blowing 40; not to mention the damage to the genoa from the violent lugging.Installing an inner stay requires further reinforcement of the deck for the attachment as it will experience considerable force in spite of its small area.I have considered a storm jib myself for such conditions and have concluded that it is one of the prices one pays for the convenience of roller furling the other 364 days of the year.If you are seriously thinking of sailing offshore on long passages where you will encounter long days of these heavy weather, then you may consider intalling a removable inner stay just for this purpose; in essence you will be converting your boat to a cutter. I will also add that boats for this type of ocean sailing usually also have running back stays. In any case you should consult with a yacht designer or Beneteau regarding the installaion and reinforcements required.If you think you may only rarely encounter these condtions then just sail on the main (presumable reefed) and turn the motor on for added push if necessary.RegardsEd

 

[Jose Venegas]

Thank you Steve and Ed.

I am planning on making the 2003 Marion-Bermuda cruising race and I thought that the Gale sail could have been a good alternative. However, I was told that that sail is not accepted as a storm sail in that regatta leaving me with the alternatives described in my note. Thanks again.