stainless steel and thimbles

[Brion Toss]

Originally Posted by Mighty Mouse

Brion, can you say more about why the boat will not point as high with the 3/16 7x19 stays?

7x19 is far more elastic than 7x7, and even moreso for 1x19. So the mast will go further to leeward, and the headstay will sag more, with 7x19.

And is there some way to know that it is time to reef (prior to when I might normally?...usually before I go out if the wind is above 15 in the channel where I am. I am pretty conservative.)

When you reef is a matter of heel angle, helm balance, and personal preference. I suggest you take note of all three, and set up a protocol for you and your boat. So for instance, you might find that 18 knots apparent, in smooth water, is just fine. Or not.

Is there a book (or equation) that details how one determines, for instance, mast height, wire size, turnbuckles size on a given boat style of specific dimensions?

You are kidding, right? You're not? "The Rigger's Apprentice."

On my turnbuckles it is one of the threaded rods on the fork that are slightly bent on 3 of them. I would like to at least get the rigging on the boat (and, therefore, mast out of the boatyard) until I can find good used or purchase new ones. Will going for a sail in mild winds (under 15) be out of the question until I get those replaced?

See Ian's excellent reply.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss

[Mighty Mouse]

@ Ian, thanks.

@ Brion, I should have known you wrote the book. Yup, new to changing rigging. Thanks, I look forward to the book.

[Auspicious]

Originally Posted by Brion Toss

When you reef is a matter of heel angle, helm balance, and personal preference. I suggest you take note of all three, and set up a protocol for you and your boat. So for instance, you might find that 18 knots apparent, in smooth water, is just fine. Or not.

Interesting. While most people talk about wind speed for reefing I have found that my best indicator of when it is "time" to reef is sustained weather helm of 10 degrees or more with the sails balanced as well as I can.