Backstay question

[Diybrad]

This may be a dumb question but I couldn't find a single post or article about this. I am about to redo my Bimini and solar panel configuration and was looking at the split backstay. The backstay in the cockpit while at the helm or boarding from the stern is one of my only complaints about this boat. It seams to always be in the way.

I understand the benefit of the split stay but is there any specifically engineered reason you couldn't move the split up toward the top of the mast so the stays would be more toward the outside of the cockpit?

Thanks

Brad

 

[Bill Roosa]

There may be issues with your roach hitting the backstay. The attachment point at the stern will have to have some thought and you may or may not have the structure in the stern to support a split back stay. course if you spread out the load enough at the stern then it should be possible. I'd recommend a split about 1/3 of the way up as there is lots of hardware available for that type of configuration

 

[Anonymous 121765]

Brad,

I purchased my 1980 C30 that was an abused club racer.
It had an adjustable backstay that kept hitting me in the back of the head as the "Y" connection point
was low. I am 5'-7" & whacked my head continuously when behind the helm....it sucked!

Once tired of this, I removed the adjustable backstay triangle. I removed the pulleys, I re-Drilled & added fixed pins instead. My bimini is set @ 6 ft. & the triangular meeting is 1 foot above this. This changes the "Y" location for clearance & more free room. Catalina Yachts in St. Pete (727.544.6681) may have a fixed 3-point item that will also suffice. I've not hit my head since & my passengers have plenty of clearance room.

I increased the length so as not to interfere, the longer the riggint to the "Y", the more the headroom. You should do the same. Your car should be higher so the "y" lengths clear the area behind the helm. You will love the change.

I would seek a rigger in your area to properly correct this, as you will need to shorten the backstay cable to match. I also added turnbuckles at the stern lower connection points & the backstay upper connection to allow for any take-up adjustments.

Let us know how it goes pal.........

CR

 

[GorillaToast]

Not sure if my 27 is set up like the 30s, but here's a couple of pics of my split backstay. Plenty of room for my Bimini and solar panel.

 

[Joe]

I think it would be easy enough to simply raise the split point. You can raise the connector by shortening the top wire... and lengthening the lower wires like Capt Ron did. There would be no change in how it interacts with the mainsail roach.

But I'm not sure that would solve your problem. I think the real issue is the adjuster mechanism in the middle. For that reason I would re configure the lower part to put the adjuster to the side.... like this:
Look at the other ideas on the page linked in the picture.

 

[JohnVTX]

I think it would be easy enough to simply raise the split point. You can raise the connector by shortening the top wire... and lengthening the lower wires like Capt Ron did. There would be no change in how it interacts with the mainsail roach.

But I'm not sure that would solve your problem. I think the real issue is the adjuster mechanism in the middle. For that reason I would re configure the lower part to put the adjuster to the side.... like this:
Look at the other ideas on the page linked in the picture.

This is how mine is setup

 

[CloudDiver]

The retail price on the tackle alone for a C27/C30 adjustable backstay is about $400, then you have the wire cost plus swaging... yikes!
Your situation is the perfect application to try out a combination of Dyneema line for a new back-stay with the higher split point you require and then use low friction rings in a cascade arrangement for tension. See the pic in this blog about half way down, one example of how this can work (but I don't like 'squeezing' the two lines together, there are better tensioning methods).
http://jaybirddog.blogspot.com/2014_11_01_archive.html