Backstay
I am about to put one on my 23 also. What I've learned from installing one on my friends San Juan 21 is that it needs to be adjustable from the rail(or at least up on the high side on both sides of the boat. It needs to be adjustable by crew(preferably) and skipper. It needs to be at least 4:1. I would not suggest the rollers on the wires that pulls them together, but instead use a cascading system. The split backstay also limits the amount of "throw" you have to get the mast forward going downwind. I would suggest replacing the split backstay with some high teck line and a safety wire, and a cascading purchase system. We used a pivoting exit block on the backside of the cabin for adjustment from anywhere on the boat on the SJ21, but I think you could keep everything on the stern and be fine on the 23. Its primarily used for depowering the rig in a puff so that you dont have to ease the main, so you crank on it when the puff hits and ease it after its passed. You can shape the main with it, but the best use is for depowering, and we all know how tippy the 23 is. I will post some pix when I get mine in action, so Ill keep you posted. David Mosley, s/v "Oh Yeah"
