Amgine,
You want to read this thread also
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...dea-12762.html
I am not hijacking your thread but I am offering my idea below in the hope it may help you one way or another.
At this stage I am getting closer to finalising my storm staysail arrangement. I still plan to hoist only to the spreader height and have been looking at various ways of fitting "temporary"
running backstays to support the mast column when hoisted rather than just relying on the aft lower shouds. Most ways were messy and in my book, that is a bad thing on a cruising
boat.
I am now toying with the idea of a specta luffed
storm jib hoisted by a dedicated
spectra halyard (on a block at the spreader band) with the tack going to the bow (forestay) chainplate - so not really a inner forestay at all.
To brace the mast, I am thinking on having two "running backstays" also attached to the top of the luff
rope. These will go to hard points at aft end of
cockpit where a "normal" running backstay would terminate.
The idea being there is no permanent inner forestay or any permanent running
backstays.
Remembering my planned arrangement is only for a storm staysail rather than a working staysail, the way to hoist will be:
Sail flaked against rope luff and well stopped with wool (or similar).
Head of sail permanently attached to luff rope somewhat down from luff rope end and tack end has a tensioning line to the tack end attachment point.
Permanent
sheets attached to clew.
Attach tack end of luff rope to bow chainplate (and secure tension control line), attach head end of luff rope to halyard.
Hoist and take windward running backstay (also permanently attached to top end of luff rope) to its hardpoint.
Temporary secure leeward running backstay and windward sheet.
Rig leeward sheet and tension it to break the stopping and release sail.
Rig windward sheet and leeward running backstay.
Go below and have coffee.
Now if anyone thinks this is silly idea, please tell me because it well may be
.