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NoAgenda · 27-01-2012, 06:22

Anybody ever seen a stay or stormsail stretched from or attached to the forward shroud? I thought I saw one on TV, and it intrigued me. Maybe it's used for stability, or could it be used to enhance propulsion. Not sure if it was mounted to windward or leeward.

SkiprJohn · 27-01-2012, 12:46

Not certain I understand. Was the head attached at the tang where a forward shroud meets the mast? Was the tack attached to the deck? Was the clew attached at the base of the forward shroud?
Kind regards,

**Adelie** · 27-01-2012, 12:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoAgenda

Anybody ever seen a stay or stormsail stretched from or attached to the forward shroud? I thought I saw one on TV, and it intrigued me. Maybe it's used for stability, or could it be used to enhance propulsion. Not sure if it was mounted to windward or leeward.

The 4th thru 7th words of the 2nd sentence are the key words here: "saw one on TV". TV and movies are about drama, especially melodrama, technical accuracy is secondary to that and may actually inhibit the story.

Not intending to be snarky, just saying.

The problems with a staysail on a shroud would include:
A) Shroud not appropriately toggled
B) Top and bottom attachments not designed for lateral load
C) Boat balance adversely affected by foresail set that far aft
D) Shroud wire undersized for that use (depends on rigging)
E) Off-center sail likely would work fine on one tack and very poorly on the other (interference with main)

Noname · 27-01-2012, 13:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoAgenda

Anybody ever seen a stay or stormsail stretched from or attached to the forward shroud? I thought I saw one on TV, and it intrigued me. Maybe it's used for stability, or could it be used to enhance propulsion. Not sure if it was mounted to windward or leeward.

Probably just hanked on wrong by a drunken sailor in the dark. Did you think you saw it or really saw it? You were sober at the time, right?

Blue Stocking · 28-01-2012, 09:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adelie

The 4th thru 7th words of the 2nd sentence are the key words here: "saw one on TV". TV and movies are about drama, especially melodrama, technical accuracy is secondary to that and may actually inhibit the story.

Not intending to be snarky, just saying.

The problems with a staysail on a shroud would include:
A) Shroud not appropriately toggled
B) Top and bottom attachments not designed for lateral load
C) Boat balance adversely affected by foresail set that far aft
D) Shroud wire undersized for that use (depends on rigging)
E) Off-center sail likely would work fine on one tack and very poorly on the other (interference with main)

All of which, could be compensated for with the correct fittings.
Bring COE and CLR more into catboat configs. Fun downwind tinkering.

delmarrey · 28-01-2012, 10:27

A recipe for disaster! If it were to pull the shroud loose from the spreader then................

**Adelie** · 28-01-2012, 13:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue Stocking

All of which, could be compensated for with the correct fittings.
Bring COE and CLR more into catboat configs. Fun downwind tinkering.

C and E would not be corrected by a change in hardware.

Personally I would not be thinking of fun or tinkering on any point of sail if I was in a position to need a storm sail.

S/V Alchemy · 28-01-2012, 16:23

I have a genoa staysail that can be tacked to the rail, apparently. To a shroud, no. That's like flying a really big flag off a tightrope while you're trying to use it as a tightrope.

squire1221 · 28-01-2012, 16:44

Hi All
I was amused by the reply about TV and movies. I call it "Cinematic License". It reminds me of one of my favorite movies Dead Calm. Everything was fine until the scene where Nicole Kidman is sailing alone looking for her husband and we see her up on the second set of spreaders searching the horizon for him. How did she get up there,I don't remember seeing any mast steps on that boat....BOOOO...LOL..

Zoomer · 28-01-2012, 17:15

W. I. B. Crealock (yes , THAT Crealock) illustrated a "stay spinnaker"(?!!) on the cover of his "Vagabonding Under Sail"(1951).

It attached to the two forward stays under the spreaders. I have often thought it would be a useful downwind mule w/o a lot of the hassle.

Anyone know how this works in practice?

Vamonos · 28-01-2012, 17:56

Here is the cover of Vagabonding Under Sail. I think I like my spreaders too much to try that!!

BTW, if you want to buy the book, Amazon has a used ones from $209 to $527.

Richard

SkiprJohn · 28-01-2012, 19:23

I don't believe those are spreaders. Look like booms.

delmarrey · 28-01-2012, 19:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkiprJohn

I don't believe those are spreaders. Look like booms.

Agreed! In the picture the spreaders are just above the booms (whisker poles).

In this scenario I would think hoisting a couple main yards, w/square sails would suffice. It appears to be rigged about the same.