MacGregorSailors.com

The baby stays are a "guide", so some give shouldn't be a problem. Having said that, my X came with metal baby stays. If you have lines, I really don't see a reason to change them.

I have a 26S with the older MRS and would like to upgrade to the M style. BWY no longer sells the kit due to liability reasons but will sell me the individual parts. All I really need is the winch, block, mast bail and a few shackles. They also offer the cable baby stays and I am wondering if it is worth the cost. I have been using baby stays made from 5/16 line and they are ok, however, there is a bit of give to them that makes me nervous now and then when I have some cross wind or have to park on a bit of a hill.

What do you recommend?

Thanks for your help!

Brad

Zero stretch line such as dyneema rope would be perfectly fine. You might want to go with snap shackles or pelican hooks as well, because the screw-pin shackles are a PIA. The baby stays are not under much constant tension, but they could be under some shock when things go sideways.

I'd do the Dyneema also, or make my own from wire rope, though I have crimp tools and you may not.

The winch is a Dutton-Lainson brake winch, 350 lb capacity. Easy to find retail on the net. http://www.dutton-lainson.com/proddetail.php?prod=15940

Bail can be gotten from West Marine and others, and of course, BWY. You'll need a block good for at least 500 lb SWL (rope turns about 90 degrees over that sheave), with a wire rope groove, which will work with wire rope or Dyneema, assuming you're using small diameter line on the winch.

Last 5 years we have used 1/8 braided line for baby stays.
Amsteel 1/8 would be much better but the later still works.
I do have all the SS cables for baby stays, just no worth the added weight.
Dave

Heaven Bound wrote:I have a 26S with the older MRS and would like to upgrade to the M style. BWY no longer sells the kit due to liability reasons but will sell me the individual parts. All I really need is the winch, block, mast bail and a few shackles. They also offer the cable baby stays and I am wondering if it is worth the cost. I have been using baby stays made from 5/16 line and they are ok, however, there is a bit of give to them that makes me nervous now and then when I have some cross wind or have to park on a bit of a hill.

What do you recommend?

Thanks for your help!

Brad

Thanks for your help. You saved me around $50 for the baby stays and related hardware. I will be buying the parts today from BWY. I could save a couple bucks buying them elsewhere, however, they have been very helpful, provided me with a drawing with all the dimensions and locations for installation. Well worth a few extra $$ to support a company like that...



Brad

Oh! I finally figured it out!

Mast Raising System!

I thought he was wanting some plastic surgery for the wife!

J-- wrote:Oh! I finally figured it out!

Mast Raising System!

I thought he was wanting some plastic surgery for the wife!

Thankfully not needed....

J-- wrote:Oh! I finally figured it out!

Mast Raising System!

I thought he was wanting some plastic surgery for the wife!

I need to be a little more careful with my TLAs...!