Photo: A17 Gambol Sailing in Solent Half Term 2012. 
Photo: A17 Gambol Beaulieu On a falling Tide Autumn 2012 (two Families). 
Photo: A17 Gambol Fog (We Could only just make out Gurnard Cardinal from the promenade) so Folly Inn Bound from Cowes Half Term 2012. 
Murray,
My thoughts are that moving the jib aft and presumably of a smaller size than normal? Would induce more weather helm and make reefing a necessity earlier than with a standard ¾ rig.
The only possible benefit, as I see it, would be in heavy weather with a heavily reefed main when the bow would not be so easily pushed to leeward in waves. However given the loads in this situation I, for one, would not be happy about the integrity of a forestay attached on just a plywood backing to the deck – I think that it would need additional support via an internal wire to the stem.
I can see the attraction of a self tacking jib – though, I guess, it really depends on how much short tacking you expect to do. I have found the ability to quickly set a larger off wind sail with the ¾ rig a good compromise as I was really looking for a masthead rig but found Gambol at a price and in a condition that I could not turn down.
I hope that this is of some use.
Regards,
Simon
Thanks Simon
A87 had a headstay fitted to the outer hole on the stemhead fitting and the original 3/4 forestay was moved inboard to just aft of the anchor cleat – about 17″ from the stem. This sail was rigged up to be self tacking and both have roller furlers. Unfortunately the underside of the foredeck had not been adequately supported and consequently it flexed, cracked and water got in and rotted it. The previous owner warned me to only use the headsail (on the outer forestay) in light winds. A87 has a wooden mast and it is fairly finely tapered at the top. Anyway I was wondering if moving the forestay aft 17″ would do anything to the yacht’s balance when sailing?.
Murray,
A Happy New Year to you. Both are connected to the standard bow fitting as in the photo below (taken when I first got the boat). The head sail tack is attached to the aft hole, forestay to middle and the forward one has the furled sail on it. There is 4.5″ between the centres of the forward & aft holes. This sail rolls up on its self and is used when going “downhill”. It can be used in really light airs close hauled but with care as Gambol is ¾ rigged.
Simon
Simon Happy New year! I have been studying your photo and it appears Gambol has a headstay with a furler and an inner forestay, how far back from the stemhead fitting is the inner forestay attachment?
MurrayA87