Inner forestay

Ronald_Schenkel · 2022-06-14 12:27:51

I would like to rig an inner forestay on Blue Alligator, my Victoria 34 Sloop. I know that I have to strengthen the structure for a bigger sail. Has anyone already made such a reinforcement below deck? I would be very interested in how it was done. Best wishes from the Acores, Ronald

Duncan_Hill · 2022-06-14 13:11:09

I'll take some photos of Blue Opal's rig in the next few days. She's cutter rig from new, without a bowsprit. Will see if I have to drop the headlining to check (which will be a pain, as it's a hard headlining).

Ronald_Schenkel · 2022-06-14 13:53:53

Hi Duncan, that‘s great. Thank you very much. I‘m very curious about the construction. Best, Ronald

Charles_Grossie · 2022-06-14 21:41:12

Guys,
As you probably know, my V34 has the wooden bowsprit option. I had to replace the bowsprit four years ago and do remember (for the best part) how it was installed. There are many through-bolts as you can imagine fixing the bowsprit to the foredeck. The fitting for the stay sail deck fitting sits on the aft end of the bowsprit (which is ~100mm deep) and is through-bolted to a substantial 316 stainless steel re-enforced right-angled bracket using 4 x 10mm 316 stainless countersunk bolts. On the inside and in the forward cabin, the 316 stainless steel bracket then faces forward onto the chain locker bulkhead and is also through-bolted. From memory, there is additional horizontal metal re-enforcing on the inside/top of chain locker bulkhead, but I would need to check.
So forgetting about the bowsprit for a minute, the re-enforcing and positioning of the stay sail deck fitting should be similar to your installation Duncan. Not sure how your hardware compares though, but on my version, it is substantial and I guess it will be on yours too.
I can check and take photos of course, but I can't do this for a few days due to work commitments.
The stay sail is a great sail and comes into its own in heavier weather.
Guy Warner has made some changes to his stay sail configurations on his V34 cutter (with bowsprit).
Let me know if you need any photos posted.
Kind regards,
Charlie.

'Anitra' - V34 cutter

Ronald_Schenkel · 2022-06-15 14:41:18

Hi Charlie, thank you very much for the description. That sounds very solid. If, by chance, you can take some pictures, that would be great. But no hurry. Kind regards, Ronald

Charles_Grossie · 2022-06-20 22:48:35

Hi Ronald,
I managed to take a few photos of the underside of the foredeck from within the fore cabin of the stainless steel fitting that provides the support for the cutter forestay. I didn't take any measurements, but can do so if required. It will be interesting to hear from Duncan to see how my setup compares to that of 'Blue Opal'.

The stainless steel fitting is bolted to the chain locker bulkhead and has a substantial stainless steel backing plated fitted too.

Duncan_Hill · 2022-06-21 10:44:11

It will after Sunday at minimum; I've managed to not run fast enough, and C19 has pounced, so I'm in isolation until it buggers off.

John_Willis · 2022-06-22 18:20:08

Hi Ronald,

Pippin has a bowsprit, like Charles' V34, as you know and the inner forestay fittings are almost exactly the same as those shown in Charles' pictures. I would guess the position of the forestay and the under deck fittings on a non bowsprit V34 cutter would be similar.

Good luck

John Willis

Ronald_Schenkel · 2022-06-27 11:36:21

@Charles: Thank you very much for the pictures. Actually, the fittings on Blue Alligator are pretty much the same. Yes, I'm curious how the situation looks on Blue Opal. @Duncan: C19 runs really fast and it can even sail. I had it on the boat on trip down to Madeira. So take your time. @John: I thought on the Cutter the inner forestay would be attached more towards the bow and not connected to the bulkhead. This is really interesting. Thank you all for your support. Maybe I don't need to add much more reinforcement. Best wishes, Ronald

Duncan_Hill · 2022-07-15 08:37:54

Inside the anchor locker

Inside the forward cabin

The furler attachment

I believe most of the tension is actually on the fore stay, so the inner stay doesn't need to be the strongest of fittings (also, keel stepped mast really helps here).

Unlike 'Anitra', 'Blue Opal' doesn't have a hatch in the bulkhead under the plate - solid fibreglass from top to bottom in the anchor locker (or fibreglass-coated plywood).

Last edited by Duncan_Hill (2022-07-15 08:47:03)

Ronald_Schenkel · 2022-07-17 18:37:17

Hi Duncan, many thanks for the pictures. That looks really solid. As there is no locker, this must be strong enough for a staysail. I might consider to strengthen the system a bit. In the meantime I use the inner forestay just for the stormjib. But you are right, most of the load is taken by the outer forestay. As soon it is rigged I will post some pictures. Should be here tomorrow. But you never know on the Azores. Best wishes, Ronald

#1 2022-06-14 12:27:51

Inner forestay

#2 2022-06-14 13:11:09

Re: Inner forestay

#3 2022-06-14 13:53:53

Re: Inner forestay

#4 2022-06-14 21:41:12

Re: Inner forestay

#5 2022-06-15 14:41:18

Re: Inner forestay

#6 2022-06-20 22:48:35

Re: Inner forestay

#7 2022-06-21 10:44:11

Re: Inner forestay

#8 2022-06-22 18:20:08

Re: Inner forestay

#9 2022-06-27 11:36:21

Re: Inner forestay

#10 2022-07-15 08:37:54

Re: Inner forestay

#11 2022-07-17 18:37:17

Re: Inner forestay

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