Date: 10/30/2008
Name: Mark Weinheimer
email: innerbanks@embarqmail.com
subject:rig tune and backstay adjuster
With the proper tuning on the shrouds, the backstay is a very effective primary control. Tightening the backstay bends the top of the mast, opening the leech of the main and reducing heeling force. The boom remains in the same place, so pointing is maintained and the headstay tightens and flattens the jib. Getting both results in one control is an obvious advantage. Easing the backstay to the previous setting after the puff eases returns your sailplan to the base setting for the day with a minimum of guesswork. We've been using the same setup for some years with good success. 24'4" headstay - mast pin to deck pin, 21 on a Loos gauge for the uppers and 29 on the lowers. The tight lowers keep the middle of the mast in line to prevent the spreader base from moving forward when you tighten the backstay. If you get wrinkles in your main from the clew to the mid luff, the lowers aren't tight enough. This is for the boats with the chainplates in line with the back of the step - those that don't have to loosen the lowers to step the mast. I will have the opportunity to set up a boat with in line chainplates soon and will be able to report on that. I believe we've had some other discussion on backstay hardware that you could search for more info on specific setups. C Sherman Johnson makes a quick release shroud adjuster (mod # 15-212) that can be used to loosen the lower shrouds for stepping without changing turnbuckle settings.
[Return to Harbor Messages | Create New/Followup Message]