Adding a Storm Trysail to a In-Mast Furler

[SteveInMD]

I'm considering doing the Annapolis to Newport race in the spring (cruising class). The rules require I have a storm trysail. I understand the best way to do this is to have a separate track on the mast for it. How do I go about adding one? If I just rivet the track to the mast won't the rivet ends stick out slightly inside the mast, which could tear up my in-mast furling main?

If I can somehow add a track, what halyard would I use to raise the trysail? The main halyard is inside the mast. During a storm I would be reducing sail with the furler as the wind picks up. When it's time to go to the trysail, the last thing I would want to do is completely unfurl the main and lower it so I could use the main halyard on the trysail.

In reality, if the forecast is bad, or it builds beyond the forecast, I would be turning left into the Delaware Bay or New York City and dropping out of the race. The idea is just to do this for fun and just in the cruising class. My hardcore racing days are pretty much over.

[HappyMdRSailor]

Steve,

Don't you already have another luff groove built in just port of the main slot???

If not... My thoughts, especially if you intend to furl to a scrap and never actually use the "required trysail" ...

Just take a pic of a loose luffed trysail and be done with it...

[TheOffice]

Steve,
Its a great race. I hope you enter! I'd contact Bene or the local dealer. I've got a friend with a 473. I can ask him what he did.
Joel

[SteveInMD]

Thanks Joel. I hope it works out.

Here's a Google Photos link to two photos of my mast. Unfortunately I'm not seeing a second track...

https://goo.gl/photos/PtNUUsH6oXFSSPV87

I suppose I would be legal to do the race just having the sails onboard. In theory I could lower the main and genoa, neatly fold them on deck while it is blowing 50, and store them in the sail locker. Then set up and hoist the storm sails.

[JPA Cate]

Do you have a boom topping lift that you could adapt for the halyard? Does the mast have two aft sheaves? [for a spare main halyard] then, you could use a loose luffed trysail.

I'm sure you know you couldn't manage a mainsail loose on deck in 50, you'd never get it folded or rolled up small enough to go in the sail locker. This comment added for the readers who might not have known you weren't serious.

Ann

[SteveInMD]

Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate

Do you have a boom topping lift that you could adapt for the halyard? Does the mast have two aft sheaves? [for a spare main halyard] then, you could use a loose luffed trysail.

I'm sure you know you couldn't manage a mainsail loose on deck in 50, you'd never get it folded or rolled up small enough to go in the sail locker. This comment added for the readers who might not have known you weren't serious.

Ann

Ah - the boom topping lift. I should have thought about that. Thank you! One problem solved!

Loose luffed trysail? I didn't know that was on option. I will look into it.

[ReneJK]

I was told (by the PO) that our Bene 473 has a spare halyard just for this reason

trysail goes onto the spare halyard (with hooks , how do you call them in english ?) and up it goes

[TheOffice]

Steve

Use the topping lift. Trysail with boltrope so no track needed.
Joel

[Jman]

I would read the rules closely and even call one of the inspectors. In most Cat 1 races, no trysail is required if you have in mast roller furler.

[SteveInMD]

Originally Posted by Jman

I would read the rules closely and even call one of the inspectors. In most Cat 1 races, no trysail is required if you have in mast roller furler.

Thanks for the idea. I already checked and they are requiring the trysail.

[HappyMdRSailor]

Originally Posted by SteveInMD

Here's a Google Photos link to two photos of my mast. Unfortunately I'm not seeing a second track...

https://goo.gl/photos/PtNUUsH6oXFSSPV87

Bah... Assumed you had a Sparcraft F series... You're far better off not dealing with that company...

We're all in violent agreement now with the loose luffed try...

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by SteveInMD

Thanks for the idea. I already checked and they are requiring the trysail.

This is not easy on an in-mast extrusion.

The extra track falls very far forward on the mast to avoid the rivets interference with the inmast furled main. And then given the hard pull on the tri you are pulling the track to the side, not quite the optimum from the engineering point of view.

Sort of a bummer. In-mast furled mains are better storm sails than trisails.

b.