What is this and where should I put it?

[Inquisitor]

This is embarrassing. I searched BWY and couldn't find one to get a name. I searched Google for "thing that connects cables to mast". No luck. I thought it was also called a bridle, but that keeps getting me anchor bridles on the Internet and here on the forum. If I could just find a name, I'd like to see what recommendations there are on the forum.

This is a second one so I can raise the Asym Spinnaker. I'm tired of it fighting with all the other connections on the main one for the shrouds. I assume if I get it too high, it might damage the mast. Seems like I recall Highlander has a mast-head one, but he also has another set of shrouds to the mast-head. For this month, I'd do the lower Asym mount either off the anchor roller or the pulpit. Eventually, I want to make a bowsprit and would like this second thing to be at a good height for the bowsprit geometry.

I'm guessing if I just knew what to call it, there'd be plenty of hits.

Thanks all.
Inq

[NiceAft]

A forestay Block Hound, or a Mast Hound.

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/ronstan- ... nd--545707

[Jimmyt]

http://shop.bwyachts.com/product-p/3430-1m0.htm

I think I put mine at least 18" above the forestay/Furler connection... if you need me to measure it, let me know. I've slept twice since I put it on, so memory isn't trustworthy.

[Inquisitor]

A forestay Block Hound, or a Mast Hound.

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/ronstan- ... nd--545707

http://shop.bwyachts.com/product-p/3430-1m0.htm

I think I put mine at least 18" above the forestay/Furler connection... if you need me to measure it, let me know. I've slept twice since I put it on, so memory isn't trustworthy.

Just twice?

Thanks guys!

Using NiceAft's terms, and searching the forum, I found this one viewtopic.php?f=8&t=17817&hilit=mast+hound that I think most closely matched what I need, but it really didn't specify a distance. I think I understand Highlander's post, but his is far more modified than mine. I also have a sock/chutescoop...

Do you use a sock on yours (and/or does that make a difference)?

I figure if I eventually do a 3' bowsprit, don't I want to keep the same angle... line from bowsprit end to new hound would be parallel with main forestay??? Or should I have a different angle? I'm just not seeing an obvious/better methodology.

[Tomfoolery]

18” above the forestay hound is where most put it for a spinnaker. And yes, if using a Chute Scoop with hoop (especially), you need the extra room, but 18” is fine.

As to parallel to the forestay, I don’t see any particular reason it has to be. An asymmetric spinnaker doesn’t use a stay like a typical head sail; it’s just a big bed sheet, attached at three points.

[Russ]

I added one, not for a spinaker, but a backup forestay.
Just a single line from mast hound to bow pulpit in case the forestay fails.

[March]

Me, too... like Russ did. I use it to haul up the spinnaker, but most of the time, it is just an additional forestay--just in case

[Inquisitor]

I added one, not for a spinaker, but a backup forestay.
Just a single line from mast hound to bow pulpit in case the forestay fails.

Me, too... like Russ did. I use it to haul up the spinnaker, but most of the time, it is just an additional forestay--just in case

This is a great idea... I could simply run the halyard to the pulpit instead of back down the mast. That is if I cut it long enough to handle that extra distance.

Thanks,
Inq

[NiceAft]

I added one, not for a spinaker, but a backup forestay.
Just a single line from mast hound to bow pulpit in case the forestay fails.

Me, too... like Russ did. I use it to haul up the spinnaker, but most of the time, it is just an additional forestay--just in case

This is a great idea... I could simply run the halyard to the pulpit instead of back down the mast. That is if I cut it long enough to handle that extra distance.

Thanks,
Inq

Just be certain that the halyard you refer to can handle that load.

If the forestay should fail, the sudden pull on that line could be excessive. Instead of just a tree falling, now there potentialy is a whip along with it.

[March]

Good point, Ray. But if this second forestay is tight, there would be no extra strain to the mast--at first, that is. The mast would get weightier as it moves off its vertical position, backwards, If the real foerstay fails, the mast will probably go back a foot, at most. Even of the furler comes back parallel to the mast, the rope will still hold -- I hope, LOL,

[DaveC426913]

I added one, not for a spinaker, but a backup forestay.
Just a single line from mast hound to bow pulpit in case the forestay fails.

Forestay failure is my #1 fear.
Can you provide deets/pix?
If the force of a falling mast could break a halyard, could it also rip a pulpit off?
Are there any operational considerations such as interference with a furled sail?

[Tomfoolery]

I leave my spinnaker halyard tied off to the center of the bow rail, mainly because it's convenient.

I don't worry about the forestay. It's new or nearly so, and it's the upsized 5/32" wire rope (standard is 1/8").

It's important to keep that spin halyard rather tight or it will interfere with the furler. No problem if it's moderately tensioned, which should also alleviate your concerns about shock loading.