High Wind Kit

[John Wolfe]

Is there any more information on the high wind kit and when it will be available?

- John Wolfe   

[Gregg Henning]

John,

From my understanding, Jeff Canepa has approx. 10 in stock.  We did not advertise this until the ballot count is finished.  If you would like to purchase, please contact Jeff.

Thanks,

Gregg

[Gregg Henning]

Check Stays (previously know as the High Wind Kit) are now allowed as per class rules.  The class rules have been updated online and also have been forwarded to ISAF.

If you are interested in purchasing a set for your boat, you can contact Jeff Canepa.  The cost is $325 as I understand.

[Nate Selstad]

What is it made out of supermagnumfastonium?  Seems to me that this might be more than the cost to manufacture at $325.  Aren't the checkstays a fix for an issue of the boat, kind of like a recall item?

Seriously, I think we should get this for cost.

respectfully submitted,
Nate

[Gregg Henning]

Nate,

I don't disagree with you on the price point.  If your not in a hurry, you may see the price drop.

Thanks for your input.

Gregg

[Drew Harper]

Buzz charged over $300 (I think $310) to Jeff for this. I think Jeff is simply trying to cover the cost of Rob or Anthony shipping them out.

[John Wolfe]

I know the carbon mast is the hot topic these days, but I thought I would provide some info on the high wind kit I purchased from US Yachts for $325.  I installed the high wind kit on Breakaway a few months ago.  After sailing a couple of times, we decided to add some 1/2 inch PVC to the wires.  The PVC extends from the top of the deck fitting attachment to about 6 inches below the mast fitting.  The PVC can be lifted up to reach the top locking nut on the deck fitting attachments.  Before we added the PVC, the jib clew blocks would get a bit hung up on the wire.  These blocks also scraped some of the vinyl off the wire as they were pulled around.  The PVC solved all of these issues.   The kit is otherwise well made.  The deck U fittings come with diamond shaped backing plates. 

I have noticed that the high wind kit lines load up from one tack to another so it must help some.  The slide on the bottom of the sail fits in above the mast fitting, and with the cunningham on, you quickly forget that the sail slide is not all the way down to the gooseneck.  With the PVC, the high wind kit has not gotten in the way at all.  In fact, it is useful having some additional hand holds near the mast (esp when getting on and off the boat on the trailer). 

Photos attached.

[John Wolfe]

A couple more photos.

[Drew Harper]

John, you had a backstay too.

Which do you feel to be more effective?

[John Wolfe]

Drew, 

I can't say which is more effective.  I have to rely on Vann's analysis. 

 

[Van Sheppard]

John,

I like your idea of putting pvc over the wires.  I too find that the clew of the jib flogs against the wires when tacking and sometimes the blocks on the jib foul up on the wires.  Because of this I only put my check stays on when the winds are over 10 knots.  I think with the pvc installed I might just leave them there all the time.

I see that you were also supplied with fixed padeyes for your kit.  I didn't like them so I sourced some folding padeyes from my local chandlery.  I provided this feedback to Jeff and he said that he would change them for the kits he was preparing.  The folding padeyes mean that you don't end up with rude places to sit if the checkstays are not installed...

Drew,

In terms of stabilizing the rig, the checkstays did a better job than the backstay by a very wide margin.  This was true regardless of which data you wanted to use.  Strain guage readings on the mast were much lower with the checkstays than with the backstay.  Sideways deflections were approximately 50% lower with the checkstays than with the backstay.

[Drew Harper]

Great Data Van....thanks.

Wichard makes these great folding padeyes  http://www.wichard-usa.com/Catalog/padeyes.htm

[Dave Whyman]

If the "builder" is not able to provide the kit, can we have one fabricated ourselves?

[Gregg Henning]

Dave,

Currently, I think Jeff has some in stock, if not I don't think this would be a problem if this helps make you feel more secure.

Best Regards,

Gregg
#149 Goombay Smash