[quote=MN3][quote]Yes this can be done and was done from the factory at one time for the Prindle Escape... this was a Prindle 18 classic with the 16 mast and sail plan... the jib blocs were mounted to the front beam. Here is a picture...
[img]https://www.thebeachcats.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=81481&g2_serialNumber=3[/img]
[/quote]
yup can be done!
(notice the added foil? that is so your bows don't implode inward in a gust/heavy sheeting)
& that's with a shorty mast, and smaller jib
moving your bridal forward will change the tension/torsion on you hulls, require a new bridal, new forestay, new jib (maybe) , move your center of effort and in the end ... could fail and destroy your boat - ymmv
(not to mention the inferior performance of your cat and new jib setup)
not sure how these tangs attach - maybe a bar under the deck lip?
my cat has internal braces to avoid the bow tangs from being ripped out of the decklid/gunnal area
[img]https://www.thebeachcats.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=123657&g2_serialNumber=3&g2_GALLERYSID=8f22c24f235a0b8c5fb0add82bc6fb01[/img]
this may work - but there is NO WAY i would make modification like this on a cat. I am willing to add weight to get more "utility" (add a front tramp, carry an anchor, spare parts, medical kit, radio)
but our cats are old - epoxy is old and brittle -foam is old and degraded or wet.... I wouldn't make a structural change without some type of additional structure to handle the changed loads
IMHO - I would sell the boat and get one better suited for my needs before i would make a modification like this<!-- editby --><em>Edited by MN3 on May 01, 2017 - 03:25 PM.</em><!-- end editby --> [/quote]
No HTML tags allowed (except inside [code][/code] tags)