Double Forestay

[acshedd]

Saw a photo of a boat for sale with an interesting double forestay arrangement - see http://65.249.65.166/media/yacht_ima...agn_38_012.jpg

The specs for the boat refer to it as a "Balanced Double Headstay" The photo shows a triangular metal plate attached to the forestay toggle with the wide base of the triangle at the top, transverse to the boat's centerline. This allows the attachment of a roller furler to port and a wire forestay to starboard. Presumably, there is something similar at the masthead.

We currently have hank-on sails and would like to add a roller furler for a genoa. However, I like the idea of having a forestay that I can set a smaller jib on - for example, our storm jib is hank-on.
There could also be an advantage of setting twin headsails each boomed out on poles for downwind cruising.

I've considered a removable inner forestay but the deck fitting and reinforcement is a problem. In addition, it might require running backs to counter the tug of the inner forestay. The arrangement in the photo eliminates those problems.

A few problems I would worry about - Would the plate tend to twist when using one sail or the other since the loading is eccentric? How do the halyards lead at the masthend since this might be wider than the spacing of the masthead sheaves for twin genoa halyards?

Does anyone have any experience or thoughts on this setup?
Any thoughs, comments, experience?

-Alan

Paragon, Morgan 382
Lake Lanier, GA

[Russ L]

Hi Alan,
Tha

[Russ L]

Hi Alan,
Sorry for the dufus on the reply, but I think you can guess my opinion by the title.
The image of the twin forestay looks like a horrible set-up. You are correct with concerns about lack of toggles and halyard fair leads. A couple of other major concerns are (arrr) genoa wrap on the adjacent forestay and the improper loading of two forestays.
Check the Fairleads section regarding the evils of twin backstays, <http://www.briontoss.com/education/a.../miscapr99.htm> the evils of twin forestays are compounded as the dynamic range of loading is much greater.
The genoa wrap will happen (it's not a matter of "if") and it will be windy and you will be in a harbour, because of the protection, and it is possible your cussing can send a fair lady into the cabin so she doesn't need to hear it! Don't ask me about this, believe me, I simply know.
The principle of the idea (a hank-on stay & furling) has merit. Search out information on the Solent stay. It's basically a removalable forestay that is terminated near the forestay at the mast and stem. The result is proper loading and fair leads.
Brion's book is an excellent source of reference.
Cheers, Russ