Waterat 2:1 forestay on bow

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Douglas De Couto

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Apr 13, 2021, 2:37:11 PM4/13/21
to 505 EC Group
Hi all

Does anyone have a pic or explanation of how to convert a Waterat forestay fitting to be 2:1 at the bow? I can’t quite work out something that seems right. Here’s a pic of what my bow looks like now.

Thanks all

Doug

image0.jpeg

duane.d...@comcast.net

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Apr 13, 2021, 9:58:14 PM4/13/21
to dec...@gmail.com, 505 EC Group
Hi Doug,
That Waterat fitting is pretty custom.  If you need more mechanical advantage consider other ways, like a cascade next in the line linkage or more parts somewhere downstream.  The bow structure is (If as built) plenty strong to handle 1 wire at the deck.   I think most headstays have 16:1, perhaps 24:1.   (Could look it up if critical). 
Best,
Duane
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Douglas S. J. De Couto
 
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Craig Thompson

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Apr 15, 2021, 4:59:14 AM4/15/21
to Duane Delfosse, dec...@gmail.com, 505 EC Group
Doug,

I generally agree with Duane that on a Waterat there is not a need to have a 2:1 at the bow, but understand that this may be desirable for the design of the balance of your cascade system. There are 2 issues that you should consider before putting the 2:1 on the bow:

  1. This makes the forestay length much more sensitive as when raking aft the floating block cannot fit into the luff of the jib and this will create a range limitation
  2. On a Waterat, as the fitting and tube are on centerline of the boat, the floating block at the end of the headstay will have to be aligned fore-aft as opposed to athwartships (as on an Ovington, see attached picture). This will interfere with the jib cloth.
Your boat has the old style Waterat headstay fitting. Most of the later boats were supplied with a different fitting that was reversed in order to put the tack further forward. There is a cover piece in this case to ensure the spinnaker does not snag on the fitting. My recollection is that both the reverse headstay fitting and the cover plate are made to order and may take some time to have made. If I were you, I would order these parts from Larry Tuttle to reverse the headstay fitting, but figure out a way to keep the 1:1 at the bow.
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Craig Thompson
+44 7387 023 608 (UK mobile)


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Douglas S. J. De Couto

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Apr 15, 2021, 8:44:50 AM4/15/21
to Craig Thompson, Duane Delfosse, 505 EC Group
Thanks all for the info.  Those pictures help me understand why I can’t quite figure it out.

Should be sailing instead, but a new “lock down” + boat in garage + “vacation time” = fiddling in the rigging instead.

I did get an inaugural sail early last week, in 20+ … given 11+ years since I drove one of these and the wind, you can imagine the result.  Apparently all my Viper practice was less useful than I hoped. Luckily my crew has a very positive attitude, and good form when diving off the rail.

Regards,

Doug



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Larry Tuttle

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Apr 15, 2021, 11:51:47 PM4/15/21
to dec...@gmail.com, 505 EC Group
Doug;

The headstay block you have can be turned around, but that version had thin side plates that will start to bend at the top so it is better to not do that. The difference is performance is pretty small.

The double hooks could be replaced with a long shackle that bolts through the sheave (same as the hooks). Then you have the option of tying the end of the 2:1 to that, as well as the jib tack.

That said, I agree with Duane that it is better to rearrange the tackle in the boat. You will probably need more range for rake, so a 2:1 between the diagonal and watertight bulkheads, then a 2:1 and 4:1 aft will get you to 16:1 with a lot of range.

We have the side plates to assemble a new fitting, but the part and new cover would cost $ 135 plus about $50 for shipping, and between the time I need to assemble and ship may take 1 - 2 months to get.



Larry Tuttle

Waterat Sailing Equipment
mail: P.O.Box 2790 Santa Cruz, CA 95063
shop: 565 McQuaide Dr. La Selva Beach, CA 95076

831-768-1520

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