Adjustable Backstay

[hewebb]

I have a Catalina 25 with a 150 on a furler with a fixed back stay. Most of my sailing friends have adjustable back stays and use hank on jib. One has a furler with adjustable backstay. I am in the process of doing a lot of upgrades to the boat and was wondering if the value of an adjustable backstay with a furler is worth the time & expense. No racing on this boat.

 

[Meriachee]

While there is benefit to the plan, the reality is that the adjustable backstay really falls into the "tweak" category. If you're looking to squeeze some speed out of it, then yes, but from a cruising viewpoint, any cost/benefit doesn't add up.
You'd be further ahead to consider some adjustable cars for the 150.

 

[Stu Jackson]

If you can do both, do so. The adjustable backstay allows you to tension the forestay whether it's a hank on or furler jib. Very helpful going upwind. The cars allow you to adjust the jib fairlead angle on the fly, very helpful if you reef your jib often.

You should also get to know these skippers:

http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=3

 

[sinnettc]

The other thing the adjustable backstay does is help depower your main. The backstay line is one of the first things I reach for when Verboten starts getting a bit of weather helm.

 

[hewebb]

Adjustable genoa cars are in the works. I think I pass on the adjustable back stay this year. Save it for next up grade event.

 

[watercolors II]

Keep setup and tear down stuff simple

Using your boat as a trailersailor I would not recommend all the go fast equipment or extra sail handling stuff. From your bio I see you’re making the boat convenient and comfortable for when you’re on the boat, which is the way to go. The standard factory sail adjusting equipment will handle any kind of wind or seas thrown at a Cat 25 if you learn how to use it.
Adding all the trick stuff has it’s purpose but, is additional setup and teardown time and when it has a malfunction your sailing trip is ruined.

The Catalina adjustable backstay, being attached at the stern and not disconnected when raising or lowering the mast may not add much time during setup normally but, when it gets tangled with something then sailing time is compromised because of time spent in the parking lot.

I would get rid of that furler, while it’s the cats meow when the weather changes, the time wasted on a trailer boat adds up and if it breaks during setup then the whole sailing trip is gone. Lazy jacks is another item on a trailer boat that takes more time during setup than having to wrestle with the sail occasionally.

Keep the rigging and sail plan simple, put all your effort into making the boat comfortable when not under sail!

 

[Meriachee]

I owned a Mac26c for years and had a CDI furler that was a real pita to get the sail on and off. We used to leave the sail on the furler and tie wrap it to the mast for travel. We could rig the boat and have its sail-ready faster than the hank on solution. Trailer sailing is also about process - finding faster ways to effectively rig it.