Sirs: I have a 17' Watkins I plan to learn to sail, however, I have a landluber question. The mast has a forestay and saidestays {terminology?}. It does not have a backstay, BUT there is a rope {sheet?} attached to the top aft of the mast that reaches the boom. Is this intended to be used as a back stay {no place to attach @ transom} or to be used to support the aft/boom? My next post should be more intellyyggent! Thanx, Rebel
Back stay
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The line attached to your boom is....
the topping lift, and is used to adjust your mainsail shape. Sidestays are otherwise known as shrouds. The fact that the boat does not have a backstay tells me that it may be a fractionally rigged boat. Just an FYI...good luck out there and fair winds!
the topping lift, and is used to adjust your mainsail shape. Sidestays are otherwise known as shrouds. The fact that the boat does not have a backstay tells me that it may be a fractionally rigged boat. Just an FYI...good luck out there and fair winds!
Topping lift
That sounds like a topping lift that supports your boom.Not all sailboats have backstays. The newer Hunter sailboats have swept-back spreaders that support the mast from the back even though the rigging is on the sides of the boat.
That sounds like a topping lift that supports your boom.Not all sailboats have backstays. The newer Hunter sailboats have swept-back spreaders that support the mast from the back even though the rigging is on the sides of the boat.
No
I dont know your boat specifically , but that should be a topping lift , Which is to keep your boom (the horizontal thingy) that your mainsail attaches to , and will give you a headache if your in the way at the wrong time . The rope you speak of should attach to the aft end of the boom , and cleat to the mast . Is there a chain plate on your transon somewhere , that looks like an attachment like your forestay or side stays are attached to ?
I dont know your boat specifically , but that should be a topping lift , Which is to keep your boom (the horizontal thingy) that your mainsail attaches to , and will give you a headache if your in the way at the wrong time . The rope you speak of should attach to the aft end of the boom , and cleat to the mast . Is there a chain plate on your transon somewhere , that looks like an attachment like your forestay or side stays are attached to ?
The sidestays (properly The Shrouds)
Should be attached to the boat some distance towards( aft) the stern of the boat The combination of forestay and shrouds keep the mast from falling sideways or back the backstay balances the force of the forestay. THe mast should have balanced loads to keep it straight.
Should be attached to the boat some distance towards( aft) the stern of the boat The combination of forestay and shrouds keep the mast from falling sideways or back the backstay balances the force of the forestay. THe mast should have balanced loads to keep it straight.
Topping lift clarification
Just to clarify someone's post, the topping lift is not used to control mainsail shape. Its purpose is to keep the boom from falling down when you release tension on the main halyard (the line used to raise the mainsail). When the sail is up, you will want to make sure the topping lift does not have tension on it, the sail itself holds up the boom. Some smaller boats do not have a topping lift, and use a wooden brace of some kind (called a boom crutch) to keep the boom up.
Just to clarify someone's post, the topping lift is not used to control mainsail shape. Its purpose is to keep the boom from falling down when you release tension on the main halyard (the line used to raise the mainsail). When the sail is up, you will want to make sure the topping lift does not have tension on it, the sail itself holds up the boom. Some smaller boats do not have a topping lift, and use a wooden brace of some kind (called a boom crutch) to keep the boom up.
Sometimes it does ... 
While not a primary sail shape control, the topping lift can be used to give the main some shape in very light air. the weight of the boom can cause the leech to hook to weather. In very light air you want to have the leech open and the sail twisted, the topping lift can do this for you by removing the weight of the boom from the sail. Of course I always forget I've done that and wonder why the main won't trim properly when the wind comes up ...
While not a primary sail shape control, the topping lift can be used to give the main some shape in very light air. the weight of the boom can cause the leech to hook to weather. In very light air you want to have the leech open and the sail twisted, the topping lift can do this for you by removing the weight of the boom from the sail. Of course I always forget I've done that and wonder why the main won't trim properly when the wind comes up ...
Here's a picture of your Watkins 27
Here's a picture, form Google, of a Watkins 27. Looks like it has a backstay so you should, too. It also has a topping lift.
Here's a picture, form Google, of a Watkins 27. Looks like it has a backstay so you should, too. It also has a topping lift.
I DID!
And yes, I do use the topping lift as a secondary control for sail shape in light winds...I have a hard, fixed vang, so that doesn't help me much. We seem be splitting hairs here...all I was doing was identifying the line from the top of the mast to the end of the boom.
And yes, I do use the topping lift as a secondary control for sail shape in light winds...I have a hard, fixed vang, so that doesn't help me much. We seem be splitting hairs here...all I was doing was identifying the line from the top of the mast to the end of the boom.
HEARTFELT THANX
Wow! What great response. I get it--a topping lift. Followed the suggestions and found that the boom has a cleat for the line and does in fact support the boom/aft. I hoisted the Main Sail and Jib. I attached the topping lift line cleated it, and left some slack after Main Sail was in proper position. Heck, I always wanted to be a sailor, now I are one. I will get a picture this week end and show my handiwork. A heartfelf thanx to all! REBEL
Wow! What great response. I get it--a topping lift. Followed the suggestions and found that the boom has a cleat for the line and does in fact support the boom/aft. I hoisted the Main Sail and Jib. I attached the topping lift line cleated it, and left some slack after Main Sail was in proper position. Heck, I always wanted to be a sailor, now I are one. I will get a picture this week end and show my handiwork. A heartfelf thanx to all! REBEL
Rebel
Your intuition is correct. Many small boats are rigged with a three-point system: a headstay (forestay) pulling the mast forward; and one shroud on each side, mounted to the deck/gunwale *behind* the mast, which pull both outward and back, doing duty both shrouds and backstays. The mast is stablized inside this triangle of tension. The forces being much greater on larger boats, usually a four-point system is employed, with shrouds mounted directly outboad of the mast and a dedicated backstay which keeps the mast from falling forward. The Hunter "B & R" rig is a notable exception, using a three-point system on quite large keelboats. Good luck learning on her. Come back and update us on your progress. Jeff
Your intuition is correct. Many small boats are rigged with a three-point system: a headstay (forestay) pulling the mast forward; and one shroud on each side, mounted to the deck/gunwale *behind* the mast, which pull both outward and back, doing duty both shrouds and backstays. The mast is stablized inside this triangle of tension. The forces being much greater on larger boats, usually a four-point system is employed, with shrouds mounted directly outboad of the mast and a dedicated backstay which keeps the mast from falling forward. The Hunter "B & R" rig is a notable exception, using a three-point system on quite large keelboats. Good luck learning on her. Come back and update us on your progress. Jeff
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