DaySailer.org Forum

I'm new to this site and the resource is fantastic. In looking at pictures of other DS 1's my standing rigging seams sparse by comparison; it consists of a forestay and a stay on both the port and starboard that run perhaps halfway to 2/3rd's up the mast. Is this sufficient? Is there an upside to minimal rigging say for racing?

jim

Welcome Jim!

Yes, a forestay and two sidestays (shrouds) are the normal standing rigging for the DS. She carries a fractional rig with no backstay. Some older models had diamond, or jumper, stays at the upper end of the mast. Some owners have added a topping lift, which typically runs from the top of the mast down to the aft end of the boom, intended to keep the boom from going boom onto the deck when the main is lowered. I can't speak to race rigging, as my only race is to see how fast I can get to the ramp and rig up the boat after a crazy day at my "J.O.B." ... ;-P

Hi Jim

The three stays provide plenty of stability for the mast. Some of the older boats still have 3/32 inch diameter shrouds. We replace them with 1/8 inch diameter shrouds for added strength. Many of us who race have tapered masts and we tension the rig quite a bit.

If your boat still has the 3/32" stays (shrouds), the upgrade 1/8" stays can be found at D&R Marine as well as any other parts for the Day Sailer.

John

Your boat should have a set of spreaders as well. You don't mention them, but if they are missing you need to replace them.

Tim, you're right, I do also have a topping lift which is great especially when I don't forget to detach prior to raising the main. thank you.

GL, spreaders a must-roger that, thanks

jimkauffmann wrote:Tim, you're right, I do also have a topping lift which is great especially when I don't forget to detach prior to raising the main. thank you.

Why would you need to detach the TL before raising the main? It should be a "passive" part of the rigging ... ?

If you have to get new spreaders, I suggest getting the heavier ones with the squared end that fits better in the spreader bracket.

John

My stays are still 3/32 but I'm hesitant to order new 1/8 stays from D&R because I'm not confident my mast is standard length.
You see, my mast comes in three pieces ( I have no idea why a PO did that but suspect he didn't want to deal with a long mast section during trailering).
So it's very possible the mast is no longer its original length.
What's the best solution?
1. Buy Norsemen swageless fittings and do it myself. They are very expensive but it would be easy to replace the wire portion of the stays in the future.
2. Buy the standard swagged aircraft terminals for the mast side and the studs for the boat side and buy a swagging tool and do it myself.
3. Measure my stays and contact Rudy at D&R to get the dimensions of his stays.

If I already have stays with turnbuckles, do I need to purchase the stays with turnbuckles or can I reuse them when going from 3/32 to 1/8?

I would just give Rudy the dimensions of your existing stays, and ask him to make the 1/8" ones to match.

If you do go with the upgraded turnbuckles, you'll want to get the upgraded chainplates as well, as they accept the larger clevis pins.

You might want to measure the locations of the tangs that the stays attach to on the mast also. The information on the correct lengths should be in the "Technical" section or the class measurement rules. As Tim said, I'm sure if your stays are "non-standard", Rudy can make stays to your specifications. If you have the old turnbuckles, I would go with the new ones, better and easier to use in my opinion.

John

http://forum.daysailer.org/pdf/dsbylaw3.pdf

The above is a link to the DSA Handbook Part 3, which has the measurements you're looking for (in a diagram on page 11). I found it to be really helpful when raised my too-short mast up to standard length. It's important to note that the spreader attachment height is measured from the top of the cuddy, not from the chainplates.

billodusa
If you want to bring your boat over to Columbus some time, we have a fleet here. You could compare your rig to 10 other Day Sailers, and see how it compares.

I was really hoping someone had made their own stay/shrouds, either swagged or swageless; it seems like there would be a pretty significant cost savings
over what D&R wants ($180 - $220). I'm just a little hesitant to be the first one to do it Anyone?

JP, thanks for the invite; I'll definitely get over there before the snow flies. I'll shoot you a PM for the particulars.

Thanks everybody for your advice; it's much appreciated.