99X forestay loose?

[dlandersson]

Gent just bought a "new to him" 99X. Went out and bought all new rigging from BWY.

The forestay has a turnbuckle next to where it connects at the bow. Owner is concerned that he's tighted it up all the way and it's still loose - you can see the "wave" in the line. Suggestions?

[Be Free]

Where is the other end attached? Is it possible that he has it through the eye plate (strap) meant for the mast raising system?

[dlandersson]

I'm going to look at it today, weather permitting.

Anyone know the measured length of a 26X forestay?

Where is the other end attached? Is it possible that he has it through the eye plate (strap) meant for the mast raising system?

[Jimmyt]

I’m old and blind, but to me that looks like his furler foil has taken a set from being stowed. It may not be a forestay issue. Also, note that the X has a back stay - which can impact forestay tension.

My foil looks just like that every time I raise the mast. A bit of time in the sun under sail usually straightens it out somewhat. The joys of a flexible foil.

I would check the mast rake/setup compared to the manual and go from there.

[WinSome]

I’ve just removed our mast to do some canal cruising, so it’s here in our yard.
Our 99X has furler length of 26’10 1/2”. Our mast hound is 5”. Forestay pin hole is 5” aft of the bow.

[Be Free]

I did not notice last night that it was a furler. As I do not have one and have never adjusted one I will bow out quietly....

[leefrankpierce]

They all look like that after being trailered unless someone makes an effort to keep it straight.
Some have rigged holders to keep it straight when in travel position.
It takes an excessive amount of tension to force the plastic to straighten, so I would ensure you had a reasonable amount of tension in the side stays (balancing the forestay tension) and see what the heat does for straightening the plastic and then not worry about it.
The manufactures say you can take the plastic off and put in a pvc pipe, but as soon as you trailer it again, it will look like that again.


Tensioning.
I found my new shrouds to be just a bit longer than the ones that were already on the boat. Adjustment and fiddling is expected.

The turnbuckle is hidden inside the furler.
To access, you remove the foresail, then remove the pin in the furler, that allows you to slide the furler up and out of the way so you can get to the turnbuckle
The tension of the forestay is a balance between the side stays and the forestay with the backstay used to put some bend in the mast when a person wants to change the shape of the main sail. Yes that adds tension to the forestay, but that is to be done after the forestay and side stays have been worked out.
I just started and had some great input about shroud tension in another post:
https://macgregorsailors.com/forum/view ... baa7073849
and another one that someone else started.
https://macgregorsailors.com/forum/view ... baa7073849
Note the post where a tool is shown to help tension the lower side stay and then the upper side stay in an alternating fashion.
Had never thought of that, great idea.
https://shop.bwyachts.com/product-p/1301-110.htm

Our boats are too light and our rigging too lightly designed to need the huge amounts of tension of regular ocean going boats.
We have proven that our rigging is more than up to the task of our light boats, so it is not an issue, but you can not presume the tension of a regular ocean going sailboat.
Basically you put enough tension to remove all slack so that everything stays stable under sail.
Generally we test by just feeling the four side stays, and then looking at the rake of the mast.
How to test = pluck like a guitar, should at least make a base note.
I agree with trying to set the mast rake to the book to begin with.
The rake of the mast (how much it leans back) affects the handling of the boat.
The mast rake makes the boat safer for a beginning sailors because it will cause the boat to turn into the wind and spill the wind from the sails if you get overpowered (rounding up).
Some people, will take some of the rake out for a more neutral feel, I actually got mine where it would turn away from the wind when over powered.

[dlandersson]

I'd like to thank all the contributors to my post. Seriously helpful.

The new owner mentioned that one of the reasons he bought the 99 X (and it is sweet, dual axel trailer, 70HP outboard, etc.) was the active and helful Macgregor online community. So pat yourselves on the back.

They all look like that after being trailered unless someone makes an effort to keep it straight.