Date: 1/8/2007
Name: Ben
email: kenkay27@hotmail.com
subject:RE:Chris, more on Cranes
Chris Thanks for the info! Jim has posted the photos I emailed him and I think looking at the photo it sure appeared the backstay attaches to the the outer end of what looks like a extended crane (the tube you mentioned).I once saw an ingenious idea where the backstay had been replaced with a spectra line of greater strength rating than the standard wire. A backstay adjuster allowed the skipper to loosen the spectra to the point where a flexable batten attached across the top of the masthead crane would pull backstay out and slightly upward allowing the roach to tack freely. Of course when tension was needed on the backstay he pulled the adjuster tight flexing the batten tip downward and putting the desired tension on the spectra backstay.
As the light regatta went on he was protested and given the "chance" to remove the spectra and batten. (Note: For new folks, spectra is a made made material that has greater strength properties than steel and can be weaved into line.)
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