Dyarchy and Dux.......

[steveR]

Most of us are probably familiar with the fore stay arrangement on Laurent Giles famous cutter Dyarchy. It was fixed on the mast and rove through a block at the bow and set to a traveler. Once set out at the end of the bowsprit, tension was achieved with the halyard.

In the present day many of us want the option of setting a smaller working sail on an independent stay vis a vis a cutter rig or a sloop/cutter. If this stay is removable then it must move aft to a reasonable stowage spot......

Here is where things get a bit funky. Connections and tension are usually achieved with a lever that breaks over center, or a turnbuckle with a wheel or handle set up. And the geometry is such that when the stay is moved aft the original attachment point is not an option to secure the stay. So the stay is usually lashed or jury rigged in some fashion. And the lever or turnbuckle tends to be in the way laying slack on deck.

Curious whether the forum might have some input on this question......

Would Dynex Dux work using a "Dyarchy" type arrangement??

Would we be able to achieve enough tension on the stay using a small halyard winch??

Enough tension to get a proper set in heavy weather??

Chafe is always an issue, I realize. And I would guess that the block would have to meet some diameter minimum for the Dux??

It seems to me a good solution. At the same time I am trying to figure if I am missing something, or maybe somebody has already done this with some amount of success??

Thanks in advance.

S