Staysail

tom_rutter · Mar 18, 2010

I was told that you'd need some running backstays, and possibly mast
reinforcement to run a baby stay from there (especially as its mainly used
for storm sails). I'm not sure there's any real need for a cutter rig
otherwise. Either you have roller reefing (which is easy for normal
sailing), or you have the forestay which can hoist a storm jib anyway.

I guess there might be benefits for sailing to windward in a force 5/6, with
reefed main (as opposed to my roller reefing, which isn't ideal). But I
remain to be convinced.

What do others think?

Tom

pjacobs55 · Mar 18, 2010

Craig,
Your message made me look at the Vega Manual, something I haven't done for a while. There's some interesting stuff in there!

Staysail (page 19)
"A spinnaker staysail is useful. This is a short and very wide sail that is set flying beneath
the spinnaker and is not attached to the forestay. It can be triangular with each side 4.56 m (15.25 sq ft) and made of heavy spinnaker material. The clew of this sail may not be sheeted
aft of the LP distance (4.65 m=15.25 ft from the forestay). "

As I'm presently working on my rigging, I found this bit interesting too:
Rig Tuning (page 13)
" The forestay, permanent back stay, cap shrouds and forward lower shrouds be tightened hard.The aft lower shrouds require only light tightening thus making the mast bend forward a little in the middle to make the mainsail flatter in strong winds. "

Peter
#1331 'Sin Tacha'

pelagicasd · Mar 19, 2010

We did rig Lyric to be able to sail as a cutter. Primary reason was to be able to hoist the storm jib a bit closer to the center of effort should the need arise. Never needed to and if weather was that bad I don't think I'd want to go on the foredeck anyway! Walt
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
From: vegatern@...
Date: Fri, 19 Mar 2010 04:23:26 +0000
Subject: [AlbinVega] Re: Staysail and Vega Manual.

Very kool. now doesn't that sound like fun. It looks like the tack would go to the bow cleat. With the staysail set flying it could be hoisted after the jib was dropped without interfering with the other sails, and dropped after the jib was re-hoisted and the asymmetrical was down. That doesn't sound too tough. Something to try when I have more time.
Craig

trevy_kins · Mar 19, 2010

Walt, where on the mast did you attach the head of the inner foresail?
Trevor (V2915)

pelagicasd · Mar 26, 2010

Hi Trevor, sorry about the delay getting back to you, problems with the computer. We used a mast hound made by Dwyer. The bottom of it is bolted to the mast at 22 feet and 1 inch from the base of the mast. Not sure if it is still availabel from Dwyer. I went to their website and didn't find it but they may still have some available. It's a really nice unit, well built and includes tangs for the inner forestay and running backs as well as a tang to hang a block for the hoist. As an aside it's a couple of inches up from the attachment for the spinnaker pole hoist. Walt
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
From: leecht@...
Date: Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:21:46 -0400
Subject: RE: [AlbinVega] Re: Staysail and Vega Manual.

Walt, where on the mast did you attach the head of the inner foresail?
Trevor (V2915)

trevy_kins · Mar 26, 2010

Thanks Walt and Judy, did you rig running backs? And, do you any pics
of the set up? T

pelagicasd · Mar 27, 2010

Trevor, Running backs are made from kevlar and go to padeyes on the fore quarters of the cabin top to keep them out of the way. Rigged as a cutter they would be lashed to track slides and track cleats. I don't claim the system is perfect and as I said, I never used it. Did the set up as a means to get the storm jib closer to the center of effort. It should work and I'd love to get a dedicated sail for it. The inner forestay is 3/16" wire with stayloks and goes to a padeye just forward of the mast. Rigged it would go to a Wichard folding padeye on the foredeck. The padeye is backed by another padeye below decks which can be lashed to a stem fitting for added stength. The stay attaches to the padeye with a removable turnbuckle. The turn buckle has snap hooks on each end. Wish I could post pictures but every time I try and get pics on the computer they go to my screen saver, I'm also one of those people who isn't computer friendly. Lyric is coming along after her years in the Mexican sun. Most systems are up and running but I'm having problems with the throttle for the Yanmar. After I get that fixed I need to rebuild the head, fix a leak in the cooling system, re-pack the stuffing box and launch her. A very wet winter has stalled progress. Can't complain to much about the rain. I know many in the group have had back to back blizzards. WaltTo: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
From: leecht@...
Date: Fri, 26 Mar 2010 12:29:09 -0400
Subject: RE: [AlbinVega] Re: Staysail and Vega Manual.

Thanks Walt and Judy, did you rig running backs? And, do you any pics
of the set up? T