2 Forestays on the Sailboat

2 Forestays on the Sailboat

I have seen a number of photos in some of the magazines I get with sailboats with 2 forestays. The inner 2^nd stay may be a solent stay. The French call a 100% jib a solent. A solent stay flys a 100% or smaller sail, thus its name.  A solent stay is not like a cutter’s 2^nd or inner stay which has a fixed mount and located aft of the head-stay. The advantage with a solent stay on a sloop with a roller furling head sail is that it can be released and pulled aft and out of the way of the main head sail when not used.

With boats that have a roller furling head sail, and there is too much wind to have it full out, a solent stay with a small 100% or smaller sails on it, is a great solution. Sailing with a partially rolled up head sail can cause problems with the reefing unit, and it also may not be efficient. A solent sail or 100% or smaller foresail is also better when motor sailing.

The solent stay can be wire or line.  A line of a fiber like Dyneema is preferable because of the strength and light weight and it should have a strength equal to the head stay. The Solent stay is attached to the mast near and close to the top spar.

The solent stay needs a tensioning set up at the bow and a 3 to 1 tackle set up with a snap shackle is often used.   The snap shackle is used to release the stay and bring the stay aft when it is not in use. A halyard set up is also needed for the sail.

The sail can be a 100% or smaller sail that can hank on to the stay. The sail can be made so it can be reefed. 

Roller furling sails are great when you have the right amount of wind they were designed for. They can be a pain in the backside at other times. A solent stay and sail can solve that problem and make your sailing more fun.