adjustable "aftstays" on a h37c - 1983

[JBurans]

Hi to all,
I have a 1983 H37c - previous owner has added various upgrades - this boat has adjustable stays significantly aft of the shrouds - these stays attach to the mast above the spar - not sure what they are for or why they would be necessary - where they are located impacts how far the boom can travel on broad reach - any ideas - has anyone seen anything like this before or heard of it for our boats - unfortunately the former sole owner died 230 months ago before I bought the boat and there is no one around to ask the question of - they seem unnecessary - perhaps something to help add additional support while flying a spinnaker??
Thanks,
Jim

 

[Mathurin]

this may be of some help:
http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=113734

h37c came out of the factory with running backstay, and yeah they are a pain in the but when you forget them and your you see their footprint in the main...

 

[Bill1565]

The running back stays on the boat i bought have tackles like vangs at the bottom. I can un hook them from the lifelines and relocate them when not in use ii clip them on outboard of the aft lower spreader. that way they don't interfere

 

[Ed Schenck]

As Bill points out the "running backstays" should have a snap shackle at the bottom. The boat came with that attached to a single block with a becket and a cam cleat. About four feet higher should be a double attached to the wire. I keep my runners slightly behind the aftmost shroud. You can barely make it out in the picture, the green/white line just ahead of the jib block.

I only move the windward runner when sailing before about 15 knots or more. With the big yankee and the main hanging way out there you want some extra support. This is especially true with an assymetrical. I probably haven't moved one more than five times in the twelve years that I have owned her.

 

[Blaise]

The runners (running backstays) are strictly there to provide mast support opposite the baby stay (also called the iner forestay). Mine came with a four to one block system that wasn't really enough to do any good. The rig really doesn't need the extra support since the staysail is less than 90 square feet. When Midnight Sun was re-rigged with rod, we added intermediate stays from the spreader tips to the running backstay attachment point. This greatly stiffened the rig. I have carried a reaching chute in 40 kts of breeze with a double reefed main, and the rig doesn't move. By the way, a H37 surfing at fifteen kts is amazing.

 

[sandpiper10471]

Blaise is right. There is nothing to counteract the forward pull of the staysail. The running backs will also help keep the mast from pumping - although I have yet to see that happen on mine in the short seas of the North Channel. In a very strong wind I move the windward one back so it is just forward of the primary winch then if I am worried, because a 3:1 tackle is insignificant against that rig and the wind forces, I tension it on the primary (not in use anyway on the windward side). It is necessary to slacken off before a tack or gype so it doesn't interfere with the main, then set up the new windward one.
Blaise - 15 knots - wicked!