Staysail

[stuffinbox]

Greetings,
I am thinking about installing a wire luff on my staysail. The sail is small enough and I think because it's only a 4 oz. weight it does not really qualify as a storm sail if used with a fully reefed main or with the mizzen. If required a heavier hank on sail could replace it and snatch blocks with seperate sheets could be used. I picked up a drum and swivel in good condition and I think I can work out the length for the wire and required pennant. I'm using a single sheet and a block at the clew on the sail right now and I know I will not be able to get 4-5 wraps around the furled sail when stowed but if I expect a blow I think it should be easy enough to lower and stow the sail. Has anyone run a "Free Furler" in this way.
Thanks

[Pblais]

Our cutter has a staysail on a furler. The clew has a purchase to a traveler. Darn handy sail. The other boat has a club footed small stay sail about 100 sq ft. It is hanked on but stores on the club foot sheeted to the end of the short boom with a purchase to a traveler but only stops without control lines. You set the stops and it is self tacking. That can be handy since you mostly set it and forget about.

On both boats it often was nice to use the staysail instead of the headsail in strong winds. With a double/triple reefed main and the staysail I can handle winds I wouldn't go out in by choice. I don't like the cutter without some forward sail as the mast is further behind than a normal sloop.

The staysail does not have to be tacked like a Genoa so the duties are less and you can just focus on steering. I also know people that will sail with only a staysail in heavy weather. My buddy Max did the toughest part of a Nova Scotia to Azores crossing this past fall with just a club footed staysail. Staysails take some practice to master and it's nice to have one in the bag of tricks.