Baby stays and dangerous Bolts/Nuts

[sunshinecoasting]

Hi All, being relatively new to this sailing game (but learning faster than a toddler) I come across terms on this forum that make me run to Google, however the term "baby stays" keeps popping up and Google isnt helping much, I am assuming when referenced here about an X or M youare referring to the short port and starboard stays on the mast that go from the cabin roof to the mast about 4 feet up? Primarily I believe these are used for steadying the mast while raising or lowering? Have I got this right?

Now regardless of the name for them, these stays on my mast pose a threat to my Jib, the jib overlaps the mast by a mere 2 inches or so and therefore I believe it to be a 110% Jib, right or wrong the problem is that when Jibing the headsail if not let out properly can slap the mast on the way past, on its own this isnt so much of a problem however I have just replaced my Jib because the leech of the old one caught on the nut that bolts the stays to the mast and tore wide open, it was old and needed replacing anyway but I can see the same thing happening to my nice new $600 Jib. I uswe the cabin tracks and cars for the Jib, mostly on the rearmost position as this seems to provide the best sail shape. BTW I use Jibing but some use Gybing? It seems both are correct?

The questions are;

Does this happen to you guys?
How do you avoid it?
Do you remove the stays and bolt after the mast is raised?
Am I doing something wrong in my Jibing to cause the headsail to slap the mast on the way past?
Do I have the cars in the right position for a 110% Jib?

Thanks, Dennis.

[DaveC426913]

Do you remove the stays and bolt after the mast is raised?
Am I doing something wrong in my Jibing to cause the headsail to slap the mast on the way past?

I had mine on for a season. Other than as handholds, they served no purpose for me. I took em off.
I use only a furling 150% genoa.

[DanInCanton]

I am assuming when referenced here about an X or M youare referring to the short port and starboard stays on the mast that go from the cabin roof to the mast about 4 feet up? Primarily I believe these are used for steadying the mast while raising or lowering? Have I got this right?

You are correct except for the height. Baby stays should be attached to the mast about six feet above the deck, rather than four. The lower on the mast you mount them, the more strain they receive when keeping the mast from falling sideways.

[Wayne nicol]

I take mine off with the mast raising system, they are only there to support the mast during the raising, as I understand it.
WayNe

[mastreb]

I leave mine attached to the mast raising ginpole. They go on and off with the MRS, and I wrap them and the MRS lines around the gin pole to store it below.

[RobertB]

The baby stays are part of the mast raising system and should be removed with the rest of the mast raising system when sailing.

[dxg4848]

The baby stays are part of the mast raising system and should be removed with the rest of the mast raising system when sailing.

This is what I do too.

[cptron]

The baby stays are part of the mast raising system and should be removed with the rest of the mast raising system when sailing.

This is what I do too.

And Me

[tlgibson97]

Unless I plan on needing to lower the mast for a brindge or something, I take them off once the mast is up. I only put the nut on hand tight so i don't need any tools to remove them. It only takes a min to take them off. I have too much traffic going up to the bow to have them on all the time.

I finally have the whole boat rigged that I don't need any tools to go from trailer to sail ready.