In a message dated 1/16/02 4:39:10 PM Central Standard Time, stever@mail.saabnet.com writes:
Does anyone have twin forestays on a M-15? (or M-17 for that matter?) I found a reference in the archives that Howard uses two foresails to run downwind, but I do not know if that means two forestays or if the two sails are hanked on to the same stay. Is it possible to have one sail in use and one hanked on and ready to hoist if the weather changes? You would have to deal with one set of sheets being on top of the other. Any other issues that I do not envision? I am trying to get roller furling without the big bucks or increased set-up/take-down times.
Most of the references I've found to twin forestays are for the purposes of running downwind for extended periods of time. Many also involve sheet to tiller steering. Some larger boats go so far as to install roller furling on both! The most thorough discussion of these options that I've read is in Richard Henderson's "Singlehanded Sailing", 2nd edition. I got it for Christmas and found it a worthy read. One of the options uses a "Y" yoke at the mast, so that both forestays are evenly tensioned.
In Small Craft Advisor's #13 issue, there's a wonderful interview of Shane St. Claire. Shane sailed a Capri 18 from North America to Hawaii. He used a genny for 2000 miles of the trip, sans mainsail. When the wind got light, he'd set an assymetrical spinnaker and run wing and wing. Terrific article, btw :)
On my Potter, my working jib (a tiny 23sf) is often set tight enough to slack the forestay. Perhaps you could set your larger jib in the usual way, and have a smaller "mini spinnaker" awaiting use, secured to the deck with its own downhaul. Just a thought.
Fair winds,
Steve Tyree, P-15 #2098 "Amy Ann"