Adjustable Backstay

[Craig Lenfestey]

Just got my 1976 O'Day 25 home today. I was talking with the previous owner about some upgrades I want to do on the boat, and he suggested I might look into an adjustable backstay for it. Has anyone made their backstay adjustable? If so, did you modify the existing backstay cable or purchase all new? Any advice on this would be appreciated.Craig Lenfestey

 

[Justin - O'day Owners' Web]

Backstay

Craig -An adjustable backstay is a truly useful piece of sailcontrol. Make sure however that you do not build something that will let you rip the fittings out of the boat.I have seen, and will probably install, a system where the backstay ends about three feet above the chainplate and there is a purchase system with a cleet between it and the boat - similar to a small boat mainsheet system. I will do something similar. I am going to put a stopper knot in the line so that you cannot slack it enough to make the rig unstable.If you do something like that I would replace the wire. You're going to have to have some swaging done anyway, you might as well get a new stay.Justin - O'day Owners' Web

 

[Don Evans]

Echo Justins Warning

Backstay tensioners can apply horrendous tensions to stays, fittings, mast and hull. The use of judicious amounts of tension to the mast will affect luff tension on the jib, thus changing the draft in the sailplan allowing for better upwind performance, but at a cost of wear and tear. Remember the 25 is a mastheaded rig, not fractional. It will not bend quite as effectively. Personally I'd stay away from them, unless your into performance racing and you have set your boat up accordingly. There also expensive, especially the hydraulic type (about the cost of a new sail).Don

 

[Russell Sager]

Adjustable Back Stay

Hello, I use an adjustable back stay while racing. While doing my rigging inspection at the start of last season I found my mast cracking underneath the spreader cups on the mast. I don't know if it was caused by the back stay tensioner or from raising and lowering the mast. I have repaired the mast and will pay closer attention next season.