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Bobstay.

Posted: Wed March 12th, 2008, 5:34 pm
by helenrose
Hello everyone,i recently renewed the eye bolt on the stem of my Eventide 24,the bobstay was a solid stainless bar,i am thinking of replacing this with a chain and bottle screw as there is no adjustment on the solid bar,are there any problems that i should know about before i go ahead,
Thanks,
Chris,"Rose" sail No 1908

Bobstays

Posted: Wed March 12th, 2008, 10:59 pm
by Eventide Owners Group
Hi Chris,

it is more normal to have chain and a rigging screw.

I have a solid rod, but it has end fittings that can be adjusted to shorten or lengthen it, but not whilst fitted. Has to be removed to turn the end fittings....

I fit my bobstay whilst there is no forestay attached, so the length does not alter from one year to another, it is a set length. It is easier to attach it to the bowsprit and bobstay fitting when there is no tension.

I go one further now.

I also have set the length of my outer forestay. Set on the end of the bowsprit with the roller reefing gear on it... all I did first was set up the mast to get it vertical. I worked out the length, wired the rigging screw and have never altered that since, nearly 10 years...

How do I alter the tension??

Simple, I use the backstays to tension the forestay. They pull the top of the mast aft, thus tensioning the outer forestay. the inner, lower forestay holds the middle of the mast forward, thus imparting a 3" bend to the spar. When sailing the stresses on the rig straighten the spar and I have a dead straight mast, if I get the tension just right!

However back to bobstays, yes chain works fine. I just found it noisy when the anchor chain catches it...

John

bobstay

Posted: Thu March 13th, 2008, 8:43 am
by helenrose
Thanks for that John i was hoping you would say the chain as i have it all set up ready to go, I set the rig as per your exellent article on the web page about two years ago, i have that slight bend aft,i havnt touched it since exept as you describe using the backstays to take the tension off the forestays,i am making up a plate out off stainless for the eyebolt to tighten up to on the outside of the stem,soon as thats done and this weather improves shes going back in.
Regards,
Chris.

Posted: Tue June 10th, 2008, 12:06 am
by Eventide Owners Group
Hope she is back in the water by now and the rig works OK, look forward to adding a pic to the gallery,
John

Bobstay

Posted: Wed June 11th, 2008, 9:19 am
by helenrose
Hi john,

Rose is afloat and sailing around the BC again,the chain seems to work very well and looks the part,as soon as i can work out how to send pics i will do so,

regards.

Chris.