I am thinking of installing a backstay to my 216. Also thinking about putting on a traveler. Any comments on usefulness of these additions and where I might get them done in the Delaware area would be appreciated.
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C
Clark
The traveler I can understand but not a backstay (m)
A backstay is designed to take the loads of the sail plan when the pressure is from rear 180* of the boat and possibly to assist with mast position. IIRC, the 216 has raked spreaders and use the uppers and lowers to perform that function. This eliminated the need for a backstay and allows the use of a larger roach main. If you add a backstay, your main will constantly hang up on it, possibly to the point of preventing a tack altogether.
A backstay is designed to take the loads of the sail plan when the pressure is from rear 180* of the boat and possibly to assist with mast position. IIRC, the 216 has raked spreaders and use the uppers and lowers to perform that function. This eliminated the need for a backstay and allows the use of a larger roach main. If you add a backstay, your main will constantly hang up on it, possibly to the point of preventing a tack altogether.
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Ray T
mainsail roach
Bob I have a 216 and I wouldnt consider a backstay. The 216 is a fractional rigged boat, that means a small headsail and a large main. Part of the power the main generates is from a large roach, this is the part of the leech above midpoint in the sail. If you install a backstay it will interfear with the roach when tacking resulting in premature wear and would be difficult to swing the main over in light air. As far as a traveler is concerned I race my boat and havent felt the need for it yet. I may install One in the future if the competition heats up. For cruising I wouldnt want one because it breaks up the cockpit, eliminating one of the boats great features, a huge unobstructed cockpit. Hope this gives you a better understanding of the 216. Have a blast. Ray T
Bob I have a 216 and I wouldnt consider a backstay. The 216 is a fractional rigged boat, that means a small headsail and a large main. Part of the power the main generates is from a large roach, this is the part of the leech above midpoint in the sail. If you install a backstay it will interfear with the roach when tacking resulting in premature wear and would be difficult to swing the main over in light air. As far as a traveler is concerned I race my boat and havent felt the need for it yet. I may install One in the future if the competition heats up. For cruising I wouldnt want one because it breaks up the cockpit, eliminating one of the boats great features, a huge unobstructed cockpit. Hope this gives you a better understanding of the 216. Have a blast. Ray T
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BobB
Hunter 216 Backstay
Ray
Many thanks for the very informed responses. I think I will let those improvements go.
Bob
Ray
Many thanks for the very informed responses. I think I will let those improvements go.
Bob
A
Alan
Backstay
The addition of a backstay to a fractional rig is a great idea for powering down the main. Bending the mast with the backstay flattens the main which allows for much more control of the power generated. A single line pulled tight from the masthead to the transom will interfere with the extended roach of the main however. To solve this problem you simply need to add a flicker at the masthead. When the tension is off the backstay the flicker lifts the backstay away from the sail allowing it to jibe unobstructed. When pulled in while driving upwind in a breeze it allows for much better pointing and control.
The picture shows the backstay held away from the mast. The other line is my main halyard which is where the backstay would be without the flicker.
The addition of a backstay to a fractional rig is a great idea for powering down the main. Bending the mast with the backstay flattens the main which allows for much more control of the power generated. A single line pulled tight from the masthead to the transom will interfere with the extended roach of the main however. To solve this problem you simply need to add a flicker at the masthead. When the tension is off the backstay the flicker lifts the backstay away from the sail allowing it to jibe unobstructed. When pulled in while driving upwind in a breeze it allows for much better pointing and control.
The picture shows the backstay held away from the mast. The other line is my main halyard which is where the backstay would be without the flicker.
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Ray T
216 backstay
I have my doubts if a backstay will flaten the main on a 216. the lower shrouds are placed in such a way to prevent pumping, in other words no additional bending of the mast to flaten the main. I like the Idea of the flicker and perhaps the ability to increase forstay tension. I had a masthead rig before the 216 and I liked the ability to tighten the forstay for better control in stronger and gusty winds. Ray T
I have my doubts if a backstay will flaten the main on a 216. the lower shrouds are placed in such a way to prevent pumping, in other words no additional bending of the mast to flaten the main. I like the Idea of the flicker and perhaps the ability to increase forstay tension. I had a masthead rig before the 216 and I liked the ability to tighten the forstay for better control in stronger and gusty winds. Ray T
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Paul Wash
Backstay, no - Spinnaker YES!
Looks like you've already made up your mind on that option and would agree - I wouldn't bother with the backstay. The 216 points incredibly well - use your outhaul to flatten the main and enjoy the extra adventure when it kicks up. The traveller is a shin buster - but could be interesting. But...if you are looking for an improvement that will knock your socks off - get the spinnaker kit if you don't have it already. In good wind, the a-sail is crazy on a reach - it brings an extra 200 square feet of sail.
Looks like you've already made up your mind on that option and would agree - I wouldn't bother with the backstay. The 216 points incredibly well - use your outhaul to flatten the main and enjoy the extra adventure when it kicks up. The traveller is a shin buster - but could be interesting. But...if you are looking for an improvement that will knock your socks off - get the spinnaker kit if you don't have it already. In good wind, the a-sail is crazy on a reach - it brings an extra 200 square feet of sail.
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Alan
Backstay
You may not want to go through the trouble of installing a backstay on your boat and that's perfectly OK. But let us at least understand that the primary job of a backstay adjuster on a fractionally rigged boat is to control mast bend which is directly responsible for flattening the main. It's effectiveness on increasing forestay tension is minimal unless you have a jumper strut installed.
In the case of the 216, the hounds are located particularly low on the mast which further diminishes the effectiveness of a backstay adjuster on forestay tension but it would be a significant factor in flattening the main.
As for a spinnaker it would make a huge improvement in off wind sailing and greatly increase the 'fun factor'. You'll love it.
You may not want to go through the trouble of installing a backstay on your boat and that's perfectly OK. But let us at least understand that the primary job of a backstay adjuster on a fractionally rigged boat is to control mast bend which is directly responsible for flattening the main. It's effectiveness on increasing forestay tension is minimal unless you have a jumper strut installed.
In the case of the 216, the hounds are located particularly low on the mast which further diminishes the effectiveness of a backstay adjuster on forestay tension but it would be a significant factor in flattening the main.
As for a spinnaker it would make a huge improvement in off wind sailing and greatly increase the 'fun factor'. You'll love it.
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