Attaching forestay problem

Submitted by chester on Wed, 06/22/2011 - 23:32
I stepped the mast the other day in the few minutes I had before leaving the boatyard where I keep the boat on the trailer. I attached the side stays, middle hole on the fork to the top hole of the chainplate. Got the mast up, and the forestay just would not reach. I pushed on the mast and tighted the jib halyard (fastened to the bow hook) with all my might, and the forestay was still an inch away. I turned the turnbuckle under the deck a few turns, which didn't do much. I had to leave it that way, with the jib halyard as the forestay. Should I simply detach the jib halyard from the bow hook, get some people to hold the halyard in front and ready to hold the stays on the side, and detach the stays and reattach using the bottom hole in the forks and the top hole in the chainplate? Then I assume the forestay would reach, with more give in the side stays (they're super tight). As for measuring rake and tension, I have no idea really what that even means and whether I have to pay attention. It's an old boat, I don't race it and sail just for fun with my wife and sometimes up to 5 other people on board, and I don't know what cut sails I have. But I still enjoy it, and I don't even know how I got the mast up last year! Must've used different holes and must've attached the side stays after stepping the mast. Thanks for reading and for any reply.
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Comments

As you know, Mast rake effects the balance and feel of the helm,

Submitted by Hot Wheels on Thu, 06/23/2011 - 00:10.
As you know, Mast rake effects the balance and feel of the helm, whether racing or not. The boat will feel like you're driving a Mack truck with too much rake and be much slower dragging the rudder like a barn door thru the water trying to counteract too much weather helm caused by too much rake. Ease up one hole on the shrouds and get the forestay attached securely. Go sailing and see how the helm feels. Adjustments to the rake to fine-tune the feel of the helm can be made back on the trailer later, shifting the shroud pins up or down. It's a good idea to write down your findings so you can reproduce your experience each season.

FIrst, you need to know if you have or want a loose snug or tigh

Submitted by MrDave on Thu, 06/23/2011 - 07:30.
FIrst, you need to know if you have or want a loose snug or tight rig setting. Each setting will result in a different tension on the headstay. If you are just attempting to get it back from what it was last season, you probably picked the wrong hole on the side stays. (I am sure nothing is twisted) Look at some other scots if you can. The adjustment on the side stay (chain plate) will be the one that affects your situation the most. Check the North Sails tuning guide for further instructions on setting your rig up. Dave

Move the side stays to the upper hole.

Submitted by karafiath on Thu, 06/23/2011 - 13:15.
Move the side stays to the upper hole. You will be OK. FS 3512

Move the side stays to the upper hole.

Submitted by karafiath on Thu, 06/23/2011 - 13:17.
Move the side stays to the upper hole. You will be OK. FS 3512

Clarification.

Submitted by karafiath on Thu, 06/23/2011 - 13:18.
Clarification. Get more side stay length

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Submitted by rripror on Fri, 06/24/2011 - 14:34.
...had that happen to me the 2nd time i rigged the boat, could not get the forestay close to hook it up. ...turned out it was just the toggle. it was stuck so the forestay side was all the way down.[;)] "I'm going down, into...maelstrom." FS #5949 MAELSTROM

...sailors become shellback's when they cross the equatorial line.