Forestay diameter for E39?

[boatboy]

Does anyone know the designed forestay diameter for the E39? We are replacing an existing older jib roller furling system that came with our boat. That unit, a Hyde, used a solid extruded aluminum rod with groove in place of a standard wire forestay. The new system will be a Profurl, but we need to know the proper size wire to hold it all up. I believe the two choices would be either 5/16" or 3/8". Anyone know for sure?

Thanks,

 

[stbdtack]

forestay......

If you are going with a #42 Profurl, you can fit a 3/8 wire. The standard size pin for 3/8 wire fittings is 5/8 so check your pin diameters.

If you have 1/2" pins the std wire size would be 5/16, although you can get mechanical fittings for 5/16 wire with 5/8 pin size. I would stick with the 3/8 wire for more strength and less stretch.

I have a profurl on one of my boats (morgan 416) and it's bulletproof!


Ben

 

[Seth]

HS dia

Actually, I believe it was 7/16 wire, but I agree, 3/8 will be OK
Good luck

 

[boatboy]

It's hard to believe 7/16" was the designed size. When I look at the 3/8" wire, that stuff looks huge. Our current backstay and upper shrouds are using 5/16". Do any of you know how to find out what the original design called for?

We do have 5/8" pins.

I wouldn't dream of putting any under sized gear on her, but it does not seem to make a lot of sense to put a bunch of extra weight (and dollars) aloft when there are significantly weaker links in the chain.

 

[Seth]

My bad

I had the time to check, and it was only the 46 that had 7/16. If the backstay is 5/16, then that should be fine all the way around. Sorry

 

[stbdtack]

wire choice....

5/16 would be plenty strong for the headstay and the mech. fittings are easily available (West Marine) for 5/8 pins. ( do spring for the 316 SS wire for the best corrosion resistance)

If your interested....

302/304 SS 1-19 wire

5/16: 10.5 lbs/50ft, min break 12,500lbs

3/8: 14.7 lbs/50ft, min break 17,500lbs


316 SS 1-19 wire (same weight)

5/16: min break 10,600lbs

3/8: min break 14,800lbs

 

[Lew Decker]

rigging - E39B

I was curious if any of you have opinions regarding the wire size on an E39B - If you were to consider sailing offshore, is the factory rig substantial enough? If you were going to re-rig anyway, does it make sense to go up in wire size, or is this just throwing away more money?

 

[Seth]

Friggin' Riggin'

Lew,

The original sizes are more than adequate for the "big water", The bigger issue is to make certain the rigging is in great shape and replace anything questionable. Safe travels!

 

[boatboy]

For what it's worth, we decided to go with the 3/8" size wire in type 316. The cost and weight differential (between that and 5/16) were small enough that it was a relatively easy decision to go with the stronger stuff. While the 316 is not normally needed for our temperate San Francisco climate, I figured this wire would be encased in the roller furling extrusion and that could possibly be a more corrosive environment.