Really a need for the Babystay?

[SCoffshore]

OK, so I guess I am the first t post in this forum Whooo-hooo! My friend has a Dufour 28 and is trying to figure out if he really needs the babystay on the boat. He wants to install a selftacking jib and the removing the babystay is the only way he sees it as feasible. Any ideas? Opinions?

[jackdale]

Is the Dufour 28 a mast head or fractional rig?

If it is a mast head rig, the baby stay can be used to bend the mast, thus depowering the main.

Babystays are also used to prevent the mast from pumping.

Why does he want to install a self-tacking jib?

Jack