Ghosting staysail

[MarkTheBike]

Hi all

Just bought my first Bavaria (a 34, 2001) and I fancy making a small staysail from the old sun-worn genny, to be hoisted when the winds are light. If I cut away the ruined parts of the leach and foot and get a wire luff sewn in with eyes spliced in either end, it could be attached to the spinnaker up/downhaul (on the assumption that these are up to the job). Perhaps cleats outboard of the jammers for the sheets. Is this a silly idea? Anyone done it before? I made a staysail for a previous boat (admittedly a gaffer) and it made a big difference in light airs.

ATB

Mark 

[Mirror45184]

Mark

Only issue may be finding a decent hard point on the foredeck for the tack. Using the old jib may also mean the material is a bit heavy as a ghosting staysail. Great sail though for the 0-5 range.

[MarkTheBike]

Hi Mirror

Well, because the loads will be very light, I was actually thinking using the spinnaker pole downhaul padeye and uphaul halyard. Yes, I agree that the cloth will be heavier than ideal but even so, I think it's worth the experiment (but been too busy on other stuff to think about it since my original post sadly). 

Thanks for the input, Mirror...

[Mirror45184]

No problem, I had a similar idea for an inner forestay. Although it was intended for a storm jib. I was advised by the local Australian Dealer that it would not be a good idea. I do race on a Bene First 40, we use the foredeck padeyes for the pole down haul for a running/reaching staysail. It is in the foreground of the attached photo. That is me at the end of the pole!

[MarkTheBike]

Cheers, Mirror. Great photo but I assume your position is due to the pointy end of a cutlass as no-one would be out there voluntarily 

Yeah, I think I'll give it a go this winter ready for next season....

ATB

Mark

[Mirror45184]

Cheers for the comment Mark, I am actually out there voluntarily , I'm the bowman. lots of worse places that that too, like top of the mast 40NM off east coast of Aus. re running halyards.

[MarkTheBike]

...lots of worse places that that too, like top of the mast 40NM off east coast of Aus. re running halyards.

hahaha, rather you than me - I'll give you a shout if mine ever need doing!