HELP! Forestay Crisis

[selahway]

Hello Brion & others,

As I write this my entire boat (Hans Christian 38 MK II) is shaking from the halyard oscillation in 19-27 knot winds here in Newport, OR at her mooring. My newly refurbished mast with new standing rigging went up two days ago without either forestay in place so two halyards are temporarily filling in. The inner forestay is supposed to be attached to a device that allows it to be released at will so that the cutter rig can be used as a sloop for ease of tacking so the stay came with only the fitting at the masthead and is installed there but loose on the deck end. The same is true for the forestay to the end of the bowsprit as it is going to have the Harken Cruising 2 roller furling system installed there. It is attached at the masthead but loose at the deck end.

I am very concerned because the rig is secure, but not tuned. Also, the halyards seem to be under tremendous strain acting as forestays. I need to get the wire ones installed, but don't know what to do from here... It is the first time rigging this boat for me and there are no photographs to assist. I do have the studs for the wire rope once they are cut.

My first goal is to get the inner forestay finished to give support to the mast and allow me to then deal with the building of the Harken system. THAT is another huge question...How to get an accurate length measurement for the foils now that the mast is vertical?

Believe it or not, I am actually an experienced sailor (this is my 12th sailboat) but I have never dealt with the stepping of such a large mast or the building/installation of a roller furling system. Any help or advise is GREATLY appreciated. MY cell is 541-231-1970 and email is joe@ebikeplus.com

Thanks... Joe