Forstay Placement... Why?

[Incentive]

I cant find information on why my forstay is not at the bow.... Personally I like the way it is placed as it allows me to have one hand on the mast and almost grab the forstay when reefing the jig or changing it, quit safe actually... It's also convenient when retrieving anchor as its not in the way and I can lean my but on it while pulling up the chain... So I ask why other boats have it located on the bow tip?

[colemj]

I see it isn't at the bow, but I don't see where it is now. It looks like there is a slot in the stem head that used to have a chainplate for a forestay passing through it. My guess is a PO modified that to allow the winch and roller. What kind of boat is it? BTW, is the deck just raw grounded fiberglass? It looks odd, and if so, may have more damage than you think.

Mark

[Incentive]

That is a pre refit photo but still you can see the chain plate centreline bottom of photo.... It's a continental folkboat .

[Incentive]

I've sailed this boat accros Georgian bay and Lake Huron, it is rock solid....

[colemj]

Ah, I thought that was a cleat. In that case, it doesn't look so far back, so I think that is how it was designed. Most likely so the headsail can be clear of the pulpit - the bows on those boats are very narrow.

Those were popular boats - can you find other owners or owner association to ask?

Mark

[Incentive]

I can try a folkboat forum? Not sure this will help or not as my boat is not a true folkboat ... I've seen photos of same model built by whitby and its not located as mine?

[zeehag]

could be was rigged as a cutter and is missing the forestay.......

[colemj]

I see what you mean - "folkboat" is a common model name for several manufacturers. Are you sure yours was by Whitby? Googling around, I found lots of pictures of others rigged just like yours is. Along with others rigged with a forestay at the very end.

I still think yours is rigged as originally designed.

Mark

[Matt Johnson]

Originally Posted by zeehag

could be was rigged as a cutter and is missing the forestay.......

That is what it looks like to me. You can see the chainplate slot in the stemhead Mark was talking about.

Edit: Googled photos too, and most are rigged just like yours.

[Incentive]

Thers no aft chain plate only the one shown, what you see is dirt... However I agree with zee the boat could easily be rigged this way, it would look pretty good too...

[gjordan]

The original wood Folkboats had the head stay about a foot to 18 inches back from the stem. My English built Contessa 26 also was rigged that way , and I liked it. I was not actually at the bow to change sails , and it made it a little bit easier to handle the anchor at the bow. Many of the older European boats were rigged like that. At least the narrow knife in the water type. Nothing unusual at all. _____Grant._______By the way? What type is your boat. That would have made the answer easier?????

[Incentive]

She's a 1964 whitby continental 25ft... Perfection in my untrained eye!

At least she will be when I finish the refit...

[Incentive]

Gordon have you experienced sever hobby horsing with your contessa at anchor?

[Suijin]

I think it was modified. Someone added that winch as a windlass and I'll bet that they added the anchor roller as well. There is something funky about the pulpit feet coming down on top of the roller plate.

I suppose that the boat might balance under sail better with the original forestay placement...the CE would be moved back by moving the forestay back. If you have significant weather helm in moderate conditions then that would point to the forestay having been moved. If not, then you don't have a problem anyway

[Incentive]

This boat is unbelievably stable, I'd be afraid to move this stay and lose her wonderful balance.... I've never used the winch but intent to try it sometime, I bet it might be useful when the anchor is stuck... At this moment I own 5 sailboats and this one is the only one I care for, by next spring she might be my only boat... It says it all.