Dear Steve, We have been following your commentary for years now and have a question that we hope you can help with.
Do you feel that a baby stay on the ketch rigged Sundeer 64′s would aid in preventing a mast inversion due to operator error? What conditions would create a circumstance where you could lose the spar?
I am referring to page 662 of Offshore Cruising Encyclopedia, regarding your discussion of swept back spreaders. Is this setup less forgiving than a conventional spreader configuration with forward shrouds?
Any comment would be appreciated. Thanks, Wayne
Hi Wayne: Swept spreaders, such as used on the Sundeer 64 ketches, push the mast forward. As such, they take the place of a forward lower shroud or baby stay. Since there is always a forward component to the thrust, the other shrouds would not be doing any work.
We would recommend a cutter stay, for use with heavy weather sails. Regards – Steve
Posted by Steve Dashew (November 30, 1999)
