Forestay Tension

Francis · Post by **Francis** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 2:25 pm

Thought if this happens to others.
Last year was the first time I left my boat at a slip, and what I noticed was, that after a week or two when I would go back to the boat, I noticed that the tension that I had on the forestay when I left was gone when I got back. The forestay was pretty slack compared to what it was when I left it for a week or two. So everytime I came back to the boat I had to retension the forestay before I put the jib back on it. I thought it would retain its tension once I set adjusted it the first time.
Has anyone that keeps their boat at a slip experienced this?
Thanks

Dimitri-2000X-Tampa · Post by **Dimitri-2000X-Tampa** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 5:10 pm

Sounds like your turnbuckle is unwinding somehow. I have kept boats in wet slips for years and never have had one unwind. I do keep some pins in them (just switched to small ring dings) just in case it were to unwind.

Night Sailor · Post by **Night Sailor** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 6:45 pm

Only reasons I can think of for the tension to get looser after use are:
Turnbuckle not secured with cotter pins or rings
Forstay chainplate is enlarging hole around bolt in hull or at deck level
Wire is slipping through loose swages
Wire has quite a few broken strands so is stretching
Upper shrounds are not swaged securely or wire is broken
Shroud chainplates are not secure in hull
Spreaders are bending

delevi · Post by **delevi** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 7:02 pm

Francis,

This shouldn't be happeninging and may be an unsafe condition which could lead to dismasting. Check your rig per suggestions made by Nightsailor and Dimitri.

eric3a · Post by **eric3a** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 7:03 pm

Frank C · Post by **Frank C** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 9:40 pm

It's rare, but the deck of some sailboats actually 'gives' over time, allowing the mast to descend toward the keel. The compression post on a 26X prevents this, unless its base (the centerboard trunk) has started to deform.

Again, not saying this is likely, just that I've read of it on other sailboats.

James V · Post by **James V** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 11:21 pm

Make sure you check the entire rig, something could be wrong elseware.

Catigale · Post by **Catigale** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 6:44 am

Francis - furler or hanked on jib?

Francis · Post by **Francis** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 7:15 am

Catigale,
it is a hank on jib.
I will try to check these areas. I do keep pins in the rig so that is one less thing I guess, but I will check these other areas.
Thanks

beene · Post by **beene** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 9:00 am

I wouldn't go sailing again till I found what was causing that. It sure sounds like a potential disaster if the mast just lets go all of a sudden.

g

Tim Stone WindDancer · Wed Jan 10, 2007 12:38 pm

Hi Francis, I agree with all the other guys. Sounds like something isn't right.. Most of the Mac 26X's have a roller furler and that is add'l weight on the forestay with no sag effects.. Also remember that usually once the standing rigging has done it's initial stretch it won't change unless something starts to give in.. You can use some blue etching ink to look for cracks in the SS forestay anchor plate and all the swags and turning eyes..

One last thing, since you didn't mention if you have a X or M boat if you have an X check the backstay.. Since they are in direct opposition to each other mechanically speaking..

Tim Stone WindDancer..

Francis · Post by **Francis** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 1:53 pm

Tim, I will check these things as well. Where can I get some blue etching ink? I have never heard of it. And is it easy to remove once it is put on, or does it come right off? Thanks for the hint, and I do have an X. I will check the backstay as well.
Thanks again!!

Francis · Post by **Francis** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 3:11 pm

Well, I finally had a chance to go over my rigging and I really can't find anything that looks out of place. The only thing is, is that on the backstay where the wire loops around at the end where it is swaggerd off, the metal loop is a bit bent, and the wires at the bend do seem to be somewhat separated a bit, but I'm not really sure if that would cause my problem. The only other thing that can think of is that maybe when I was tightening the forstay, maybe the forestay wire was turning instead of the turnbuckle, which in time would make the forestay loosen up. I don't know, I'm just guessing at this point.
Any other ideas?
Thanks

Night Sailor · Post by **Night Sailor** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 4:22 pm

Francis, do check the turnbuckle on the forestay. Both ends of the stay should be almost meeting in the middle of the open turnbuckle body. If there is a gap of more than about 1/2 inch between them or it's not in the middle, then you are probably right about letting the forestay turn while tightening the turnbuckle, so only the bottom end was tightened.
IF so, the cure is to completely unscrew turnbuckle until both ends are free of the barrel. Start threads again equally on both ends, then with vise grip pliers or crescent wrench hold upper forestay swaging while you turn the turnbuckle barrel to tighten. Since the bottom end is captive at the chain plate, you only need to hold the upper end to keep it from twisting.
For my X at least, I tighten the forestay turnbuckle as far as it will go, then adjust the upper shrouds to take out sag of forestay. This makes the upper shrouds quite firm... about a 2 inch deflection under pressure. I adjust the short or lower shrouds to be less tight, but to straighten the mast as required. The backstay is only tightened enough to take out the sag since too much pressure bends the top of the mast back excessively, affecting the top of the main.
HOpe this helps.

delevi · Post by **delevi** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 1:45 am

Nightsailor is right. I found this out the hard way by adjusting the turnbuckle without holding the fitting above it in place with pliers. Ended up untwisitng the wires and replacing the forestay. Check your forestay carefully.

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