Daysailer rigging question

[Time2Go]

Boat is an O'Day Mariner 2+2, 19'
Today I noticed that the top stay on the starboard side has slipped out
Of the spreader and is therefore a straight shot from the chain plate
To the mast. It attaches at the same point on the mast as the forstay
(Fractional rig)
This boat is rigged with baby stays that attach from the chain plate to
A point just below the spreader.
How critical is it to put the stay back into the spreader?
It seems that they are separated by about two inches ie: slot in spreader
to the stay where it passes the spreader. It seems the wire holding the stay in place failed. A simple fix but would require me to unstep the mast.
No big deal except I'm usually solo so would need to find some help.
So can I feel comfortable using it like it is until I round up some help
Or is it endangering the whole rig.
I sail on a large lake with winds usually in the 5 to 15mph range.

[Sailmonkey]

It needs to be in the spreader, without it you are endangering the rig.


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[Time2Go]

Thanks Sailmonkey
Thats what I thought, Looks like tomorrows sail is gonna start with an
Unstep Restep. Making calls now to line up some help.
Heres a picture of the boat in question before the stay slipped out.

[mariner36bob]

If you loosed the upper at the turnbuckle can you swing it into place?

Seems like if you could get the stay into place then re-tune the turnbuckle you might be able to then heel the boat over and access the tip of that spreader from an A frame ladder to apply new seizing wire.

I know, i know, ladder, dock, heeled boat; recipe for disaster but I'd probably try it before completely disassembling the rig and unstep.


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[Time2Go]

Originally Posted by mariner36bob

If you loosed the upper at the turnbuckle can you swing it into place?

Seems like if you could get the stay into place then re-tune the turnbuckle you might be able to then heel the boat over and access the tip of that spreader from an A frame ladder to apply new seizing wire.

I know, i know, ladder, dock, heeled boat; recipe for disaster but I'd probably try it before completely disassembling the rig and unstep.


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Thanks for the great idea Mariner36bob
I could probably do this, but with a twist
I know some folks at the lake with big pontoon boats
Their height above the water combined with a ladder should give me all the
Height I need to put the stay back in the spreader and then the seizing wire.
I might have to heel the boat over a bit but not to much.
Certainly worth a go before unstep and restep
The boat only draws 8" with the board up so I maybe even could
beach it under a tree and go climbing
Lots of ways I hadn't thought of
Thanks Again

[mariner36bob]

Oh boy now we're adding a pontoon boat AND a ladder. Forget it, nothing to see here, wrong number. I'm outta here.



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[Time2Go]

Went for the unstep - restep
Took less than 30 minutes with the help of a few buddies
At the lake. The actual repair ie: putting the stay back in it's slot
And affixing the seizing wire took about 90 seconds ,
most of the time was spent in prep
To make sure the mast came down smooth and free and then could be immediately resteped
I'm really glad that I bought a small boat to jump back into
Sailing after a bunch of years off. It's like my own little classroom.
Second question coming in new thread
Thanx to all