Inner forstay

[daynardi]

I'm looking for information about adding an inner fore-stay to our 1985 E-32. I understand the need to add an attachment point to the foredeck and to tie this down to the hull below, probably with a removable cable which would extend through the V-berth to a tab glassed into the hull.

Unknowns include the work needed to attach the new stay to the mast, and how the cabin liner might interfere with installation of the tab on the hull.

Regarding the Mast:
We have a Kenyon mast which does not have tabs for either a spinnaker topping lift or for a fore-stay. Is there a recognized way to add a tang to the front an existing mast for the forestay? (We would add running back stays as part of this project, probably using existing holes in the back of the mast which appear to be intended for this).

Cabin Liner
Access to the hull is obstructed by a cabin liner pan below the V-berth, which includes a number of molded-in storage bins. I assume that it will be necessary to cut an opening through one of these bins to gain access to the hull in order to construct a tab to secure the bottom of the forestay. Has anyone had experience with this?

 

[jkenan]

Good article in Good Old Boat magazine on this subject with an E29, especially on how to tie the loads to the hull. Check out this link:

http://www.hiflite.org/DaleCoriEricson29.pdf

Also, Lefiell Manufacturing has some excellent rigging products, and they offer an assembly that can be mounted to your mast for an inner stay. Check out http://www.lefiell.com, click on marine products, then click on other marine products.

I would highly recommend seeking the consultation of a professional rigger before doing any of this yourself. Inner stay length will be specific to your boat, and running backstays will likely be necessary so you don't damage your mast from the staysail loads.

Good luck, and let us know how it goes.