Forestay on the las 3 strands!
- Tomfoolery
- Admiral
- Posts: 6135
- Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2011 7:42 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Rochester, NY '99X BF50 'Tomfoolery'
Re: Forestay on the las 3 strands!
You obviously have to slide the furler drum up to get to the turnbuckle. The forestay won’t stretch very much at all, due to its geometry and its size, especially the heavier forestay. So adjust the mast rake with the forestay, then tension the side stays to the desired tension, including mast bend.
Tom
Be seeing you . . .
Be seeing you . . .
- Starscream
- Admiral
- Posts: 1569
- Joined: Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:08 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Montreal, Quebec. 2002 26X - Suzi DF90A
Re: Forestay on the las 3 strands!
I don't like the idea of the mast dropping on me and my family. So I added a backup forestay. It was one of the easiest mods, and cost about $100 total. Best cost/peace-of-mind ratio of any mod that I have done.
The parts are, in order: trailering bolt, snap-shackle, turnbuckle, rope forestay, snap shackle, mast hound.
Bonus: when raising the mast, the turnbuckle can be lengthened so it's super-easy to snap onto the trailering bolt. Then the turnbuckle can be tightened to allow the jib forestay/furler to be easily pinned, and to be under good tension when the turnbuckle is loosened.

The parts are, in order: trailering bolt, snap-shackle, turnbuckle, rope forestay, snap shackle, mast hound.
Bonus: when raising the mast, the turnbuckle can be lengthened so it's super-easy to snap onto the trailering bolt. Then the turnbuckle can be tightened to allow the jib forestay/furler to be easily pinned, and to be under good tension when the turnbuckle is loosened.
- NiceAft
- Admiral
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- Joined: Tue Feb 01, 2005 7:28 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Upper Dublin,PA, USA: 2005M 50hp.Honda4strk.,1979 Phantom Sport Sailboat, 9'Achilles 6HP Merc 4strk
Re: Forestay on the las 3 strands!
I don’t think that mod is wise on an
(Not that Starscream is suggesting it.) . The M mast is significantly heavier than on an
. Not just heavier, but two feet taller and larger bow to stern. All of the chain plates on the
were made stronger, along with the bow plates and all mast hardware.
On an
it obviously works, I just don’t think on an
it is advisable without somehow strengthening the bow end. Simply attaching it to the
bowpit, I don’t think is advisable.
On an
Ray ~~_/)~~
- kurz
- Admiral
- Posts: 1312
- Joined: Mon Dec 06, 2010 9:07 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Zürich, Switzerland, Europe
Re: Forestay on the las 3 strands!
hmmm... well... I dont know about the additional forestay...
Some years ago I made the same with a line.
Went out from the harbour in the mediterranean... Wantet to take the genoa in. Heavy winds. As a matter of fact (maybe it was my own stupidity?!) the genoa get mixed with/furled with the additional forestay. I could not solve it anymore out.
So I had to go back into the harbour...
End of the story?
No... The cleat that hold the centerboard didnt hold good and it fell down. But there was maybe max 140cm... entering the harbour. The
stoped... Then the wind turned the
and the centerboard broke
Ok, no really catastroph. But I looked stupid enough. Could get a new one by the way and could continou the trip some days later.
But still I see the problem by solving one (having panic of forestay brake) making new troubles (sail hassle with the additional forestay).
So at the moment I try to stay confident with the heavier new forestay. And on top: It is eaier to enter the
from the bow without this additional forestay...
Some years ago I made the same with a line.
Went out from the harbour in the mediterranean... Wantet to take the genoa in. Heavy winds. As a matter of fact (maybe it was my own stupidity?!) the genoa get mixed with/furled with the additional forestay. I could not solve it anymore out.
So I had to go back into the harbour...
End of the story?
No... The cleat that hold the centerboard didnt hold good and it fell down. But there was maybe max 140cm... entering the harbour. The
Ok, no really catastroph. But I looked stupid enough. Could get a new one by the way and could continou the trip some days later.
But still I see the problem by solving one (having panic of forestay brake) making new troubles (sail hassle with the additional forestay).
So at the moment I try to stay confident with the heavier new forestay. And on top: It is eaier to enter the
- NiceAft
- Admiral
- Posts: 6757
- Joined: Tue Feb 01, 2005 7:28 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Upper Dublin,PA, USA: 2005M 50hp.Honda4strk.,1979 Phantom Sport Sailboat, 9'Achilles 6HP Merc 4strk
Re: Forestay on the las 3 strands!
Kurz,
That was some story. If it wasn’t for bad luck, you didn’t have any luck at all.
Since Switzerland is land locked, where in the Mediterranean did you trailer your
to?
That was some story. If it wasn’t for bad luck, you didn’t have any luck at all.
Since Switzerland is land locked, where in the Mediterranean did you trailer your
Ray ~~_/)~~
- kurz
- Admiral
- Posts: 1312
- Joined: Mon Dec 06, 2010 9:07 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Zürich, Switzerland, Europe
Re: Forestay on the las 3 strands!
this was Piombino/Italy. Then crossing to Corsica, then back to Giglio (Costa Concordia...)
Back home over the alps on trailer
Back home over the alps on trailer
- Jimmyt
- Admiral
- Posts: 3402
- Joined: Sat Jul 18, 2015 9:52 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Mobile AL 2013 26M, 60 Etec
Re: Forestay on the las 3 strands!
I tested the dagger board emergency brake once. Unfortunately, I can't claim anything slipped, other than my memory to pull it up before going through the inlet at less than high tide... Brought the boat to a complete stop, quickly. Sandy bottom and minimal chop saved me from breaking it.
Glad you were able to quickly source a new one.
Sounds like my luck. Try to fix a non-issue and turn it into a catastrophe. Welcome to the club!
Glad you were able to quickly source a new one.
Sounds like my luck. Try to fix a non-issue and turn it into a catastrophe. Welcome to the club!
Jimmyt
P-Cub-Boo
2013 26M, Etec 60, roller Genoa, roller main
Cruising Waters: Mobile Bay, Western Shore, Fowl River
P-Cub-Boo
2013 26M, Etec 60, roller Genoa, roller main
Cruising Waters: Mobile Bay, Western Shore, Fowl River
- NiceAft
- Admiral
- Posts: 6757
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- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Upper Dublin,PA, USA: 2005M 50hp.Honda4strk.,1979 Phantom Sport Sailboat, 9'Achilles 6HP Merc 4strk
Re: Forestay on the las 3 strands!
I liked Corsica; a nice place. Did you get to see Napoleon’s family shop?
Sailing around that area is an envious trip.
Ray ~~_/)~~
