New wire - now top batten hitting backstay
 

After installing new wire and Hayn fittings and using the guidelines from the Brion Toss video we now have an issue with the top batten on our fully battened main hitting the backstay. The batten is brand new but is an exact replacement. This is a first attempt for us to rig the boat. I took the rigging course from Brion two years ago.

Two issues that may possibly be affecting this situation.

1) The original owner had a rake in the mast that was more forward than what we set up. Based on consultation with Cape George Marine Works we tried to establish a 1 degree aft rake.

2) The jibstay is not adjustable and may have too much slack. Consequently we may have overtightened the backstay and introduced too much bend in the mast. The roller furler is undersized and we were not able to install a turnbuckle inside it. Instead we carefully measured the jib stay when we removed it and tried to match the length, hoping we would not need to adjust this length. At this point in time a new roller furler is not in the budget so we are trying to work with what we have. We are prepared to take the jibstay down and cut some length off of it but really want a second opinion before we do so.

sound to me like there is 2 possible issues 1.there is less rake than in the previous setup, or 2. the main is hoisted higher up the mast than before, has the boom/gooseneck moved??. if the main is exactly the same, and the batten is in the exact same place then there could be less rake in the 'new' setup. [try a toggle in the forestay]. It would also be worth checking that the mast is sat on the step squarly [touching allround]. if it's up at the back it may indicate that the mast was cut for more rake .
Cheers
rob

Pretty sure we have more rake than before and no change at the gooseneck. The mast is keel stepped and is sitting square to the step. Thanks for the input, though.

We did contact North Sails and they said it would not be unusual for a full batten main like ours to overlap the stay, so we might just live with it.

could the new batten be stiffer than the old , such that it gets caught now, where you didn't notice before?

Variables
 

Hello,
I agree with Brian, that more rake should lead to more room for the mains'l batten, not less. It could be that the jibstay is the wrong length, or that the mast is inverted (bend), or that the batten is stiffer, or that the hoist is longer than before, or some combination of these things, or something else entirely. I'll be visiting the boat tomorrow (Thursday), if it is in its slip, and will report back.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss

Sorry, Brion, but she won't be in the slip. We said to heck with it and have gone sailing. We haven't had much wind, but the sail comes across well enough. Presently we're in West Sound, Orcas Island and we'll be out another week. Thanks for thinking of us.

Its good to hear that you are safe and the things are going on pleasant.
Make the journey safe.
Good Luck...