I have a Johnson Lever that I decided to add under the forestay while I have the mast down for other reasons. I have figured out which hole I can use to maximize the opened length (slack) and minimize the closed length (tight)... It can really only go on there one way without interference from other things (and it was not the way I thought it was going to be mounted!).
So it looks like I'll be raising the forestay hound and upper shroud attachments about 15 inches. Obviously, I have to do something to lengthen the upper shrouds.
(A cable stretcher anyone?)
The shrouds appear to be in pretty good shape still, and buying new ones would tend to make the case for buying ALL new shrouds...not an option I really want to have to pursue right now - just throwing more money at this - at least until I've tried it and know it will work well.
So the second option I was considering was going ahead and buying a crimping tool and the nicropress fittings and some cable and doing it myself, which is a very valid option, but also another significant investment.
So then there is a shroud extender...okay, call it just a long tang. Is there any reason I can't just add a long tang up there (and not use the small existing tang - let it hang free on the cable end)? I could easily have one made up at work from scrap stainless, and bend the end that goes up against the mast like the existing one is bent, and then use a shackle (or something like it) to connect it to the end of the cable? If I do this, I have the ability to work out the issues, try it, adjust it, and then when I really do need to replace the shrouds, I could have the correct length made up and remove the long tang. But it would get me going in the mean time.
Any thoughts? about this, I mean
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with a hank-on storm jib on an inner forestay
