[Rhodes22-list] Frigging Rigging

[Bob Keller]

While sailing today on a rather calm day on Lake Hartwell, my latest 
calamity was that my forestay broke.  Yep, it broke off right at the bottom 
of the furler drum.  Could have been worse because Roger R shinnied up the 
mast (amazing thing to see) and tied a line just above the spreaders which 
we secured to the bow cleat to keep the mast from going too far.  Meanwhile, 
Rummy was mixing drinks below, oblivious to the goings-on up above.  We 
motored back from Big Water and dropped the mast.

Looks like the forestay was bent too many times, possibly from trailering, 
and it finally gave way.

It was recommended to me to upsize the forestay to 5/16" (by the same people 
who told me to pull my diamondboard  down all the way unti lit is 
perpendicular to the boat!).  Does anyone have experience or knowledge of 
using a slightly larger stay?  Any problems to be aware of?  Sounds like a 
good idea to me, but I wanted to check the list to see if anyone has done 
this before?  Thanks.
Bob K
s/v Yankee Clipper

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