BLUEMOMENT

Is there any use for a hank on storm jib on a boat fitted with a roller furling jib?

Well, I have that set up but also have a removable inner forestay on a highfiekd lever. Moving the centre of effort of the storm jib aft makes a more balanced sail plan and reduces the bow paying off at the top of waves.

Is this question based upon a Windermere forecast you have seen, Robertimus?

aquaplane wrote:Is there any use for a hank on storm jib on a boat fitted with a roller furling jib?

You can get plastic sliders which fit into the foil and which will take the hanks, but to use it you would have to fully unfurl the genoa, drop it, and store it - not the easiest in the teeth of a rising gale!

It could still be useful though - if you knew that you had to make the journey in poor conditions, then it might be worth fitting it before leaving harbour, rather than having to use a corner of the furled genoa.

You could also buy a sleeve which wraps around the furled genoa, and will take the hanks of the storm jib - not ideal, but better than version 1.

Ash

BTW - I take it that you've found one in Seminole's inventory.

claymore wrote:Is this question based upon a Windermere forecast you have seen, Robertimus?

Nay lad, it's somat I found under the bed.

ash wrote:You can get plastic sliders which fit into the foil and which will take the hanks, but to use it you would have to fully unfurl the genoa, drop it, and store it - not the easiest in the teeth of a rising gale!

It could still be useful though - if you knew that you had to make the journey in poor conditions, then it might be worth fitting it before leaving harbour, rather than having to use a corner of the furled genoa.

You could also buy a sleeve which wraps around the furled genoa, and will take the hanks of the storm jib - not ideal, but better than version 1.

Ash

BTW - I take it that you've found one in Seminole's inventory.

It was off the Leisure 27 that they bought new in 1979. It's never been used, though it may have been hoisted. It's been under the V berth since 1984 when they bought Seminole I suspect.

I thought about trying to get a roller genoa off to fit this thing with plastic slugs fitted, I decided it wasn't someting I would do at sea in bad weather, which is when it would need doing.

If it's bad enough to need a storm jib I would be staying put so I don't think I would be fitting it as a planned opperation either.

I found a cruising chute in the same locker, I'll be playing with that later this year.

marisca wrote:Well, I have that set up but also have a removable inner forestay on a highfiekd lever. Moving the centre of effort of the storm jib aft makes a more balanced sail plan and reduces the bow paying off at the top of waves.

I have heard folk on the WOA forum discussing fitting a removable inner forestay and wondered why they want one, now I know. Most of the discussion is about where to anchor the bottom end, how to spread the load and where is strong enough. Where have you anchored yours?

My boat came with the inner forestay fitted. The lower end is a U-bolt fitted through the centrally reinforced deck just aft of the bulkhead of the chain locker. It is also used for the spinnaker pole downhaul block and the jackstays. The top end is about 6' down from the top of the mast with double L-shaped plates, forming a T, fitted into a slot cut in the front of the mast and pop-riveted. There is a swivel block fitted below this bracket which takes a jib halyard and gives a sensible lead.

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I would dearly love an inner forestay, but I do not believe there is anywhere suitable to anchor one that would not impinge on the double berth in the forepeak, and that is sacrosanct.

Nick wrote:.
I would dearly love an inner forestay, but I do not believe there is anywhere suitable to anchor one that would not impinge on the double berth in the forepeak, and that is sacrosanct.

I'm sure that I read a write-up (not on a Vega ) where the under deck anchor was also removable. Would you be using the forepeak berth in the conditions where you needed an inner forestay / stormjib?

Ash

ash wrote:Would you be using the forepeak berth in the conditions where you needed an inner forestay / stormjib?

Very unlikely - we would be using the seaberths/leecloths in the saloon. I would be very happy to take more advice on this if such a solution is feasible, though I fear it would be beyond my engineering capabilities.

Nick wrote:

ash wrote:Would you be using the forepeak berth in the conditions where you needed an inner forestay / stormjib?

Very unlikely - we would be using the seaberths/leecloths in the saloon. I would be very happy to take more advice on this if such a solution is feasible, though I fear it would be beyond my engineering capabilities.

The under-deck strop would just need to have a bottlescrew/highfield lever like the above deck part.

FWIW I'm planning on installing a stay using a length of metal beam across the top of the anchor locker bulkhead to suitably stiffen the deck. Over such a short span, and given a deep enough section on the beam, it should be possible to resist deflection. Was going to do it this winter but time is slipping away...

Nick
When you think of the weather you have been out in and the miles you have sailed, I would question the need for an inner forestay.
I believe that the boat designers who were around in the days when the Vega was conceived had all the bases covered and would you not think that this - rather like a vasectomy, is not that high up on the priority list?

You would be almost certain to over-engineer the under-deck stuff and thus add weight in the wrong place and perhaps reduce space etc.

I fitted one on the last boat, and sailed it cutter rigged once or twice - excellent fun. The beam under the foredeck wasn't intrusive but we did have 6'4" headroom in those days.
That boat also had a keel-stepped mast with the attendant hold-downs for the deck, which I think are a great solution for Vegans or anyone else fitting a temporary stay - quick to rig, efficient, lightweight, and an extra handhold when you're down there in the tumble drier.