Forestay slack/Double Chainplate

I want to take up the slack in my forestay while underway and I like the double chain plate method with shock cord, like this (this is NOT my rig):

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak- ... 4200_n.jpg

The critical question is how long should the forestay be? Other than trial and error does anyone have any idea? Have the shop remove approximately one chain plate length and leave it at that?

It would seem that to get this mod to function correctly the forestay length would have to be pretty right on, right? That is, I would no longer have the flexibility to adjust mast rake, etc., by moving the cotter pin up and down the chain plate (in conjunction with the shrouds) as I please, I'd be pretty much stuck with it as shown in the top hole in the photo above.

Am I seeing this right? Am I on the right track?

Thanks in advance!

_________________
'81 H16

If it ain't a blowin', I ain't a goin'

I have that same setup, and forestay length is standard. The slack in the forstay is taken up by the bungee and the jib wire attaches to the lower chainplate so no mods to standard forestay required

_________________
1985 Prindle 16

Wow, thanks drummer. I would have thought the additional slack introduced onto a standard forestay in a mod like this would overwhelm the shockcord's ability to take it all up and get it out of the way. Very interesting.

_________________
'81 H16

If it ain't a blowin', I ain't a goin'

Keep in mind to that once your jib is up, the wire in the jib is what is acting as the forestay, not the forestay itself. That is why the bungee method is nice, it gets the now practically useless forestay off of your jib sail. The forestay does not determine your mast rake. Where you place the shrouds and how much you tension the jib is what affects rake.

_________________
James
86' Redline Hobie 16
Sail # 76909

Thanks, good point. I gotta keep in mind the "temporary" nature of the forestay. I just hope the shockcord is strong enough to pull that much forestay out of the way and keep it there.

_________________
'81 H16

If it ain't a blowin', I ain't a goin'

It works really well - shockchord does a great job

_________________
1985 Prindle 16

I really like that. I've got some extra chain plates in my spare parts box, so I think I'll add that setup to mine. Thanks!

_________________
1990 "Formula 1" H16 (# 009)