break-away inner forestay on CD31

[Ann and David Brownlee]

We've now been sailing for a month with our new 140 genoa and roller furling, and we are delighted by the improved performance and quite surprised by the versatility. The sail really does retain good shape when reefed down pretty substantially. Dragging the big sail around the inner forestay is a pain, however, and although we are getting better and better at the partial-furl-while-tacking drill, it's pretty exhausting. We've also detached the inner stay and sailed without it for a while; that works nicely, and we'd like to make better provisions for doing it regularly.

So far, we've simply replaced the clevis and cotter pins at the deck fitting with a fastpin and replaced the two cotter pins in the turnbuckle with a single long piece of wire that can be removed and reinstalled easily to allow for the slacking off and retensioning of the stay. To stow, we simply take the stay aft and lash it to the shrouds on one side. We bet there are better ways to do this. Does anyone use a Highfield lever (what brand/model)? Other suggestions?

Ann and David Brownlee
CD31 #1
"Windrush"
Havre de Grace, MD



dbrownle@sas.upenn.edu

[Stan]

A "sliphook" is available, so far, only from European sources ( I've been in contact with Stella-Kiel and they don't have any good way for funds transfer!

See www.yachtartikel.de/artikel/228.php

The largest size sliphook is only 36 euros. I think the size we need is a 5/16, which is less than 8 euros. I'm not beaten yet on this, and will let you know if I find anyone importing this part. It is simple and appears to do a good job.

The highfield lever will set you back hundreds!!
see www.riggingonly.com
West Marine sells the ABI version for $$$
Also, Practical Sailor had a whole article on removable inner forestays in the January 15, 1999 issue.
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Hope you solved your overheating problem; I am in the same boatyard as a sister ship that had same problem; he solved by bleeding per responders' descriptions.

regards

Stan
S/V Nomad CD31 #08



skuhlman@sprynet.com