The backstays on my Hunter 31 are not very tight. I also do not have a backstay tensioner. I have notices that all the boats which have a split backstay have a tensioner of some type installed. Any advice or comments would be appreciated.
Badkstay tensioner
- Thread starter Briann
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Do not know if you really need one.
Many of the boats with split backstays do not have the same rig that you have on your H31. This rig is pre-stressed before it is set on the boat. This is one of the strongest rigs available on any boat. Ask owners of H'31, H'34, H'37, H'40 of this era and see how many have had failures. "I cannot remember one", but I am sure there have been a few. We just had our rig tuned after having the mast down and cannot believe how much better it sails. Find a rigger than understands what you have and you may understand the difference between what you are looking at and what you really have.
Many of the boats with split backstays do not have the same rig that you have on your H31. This rig is pre-stressed before it is set on the boat. This is one of the strongest rigs available on any boat. Ask owners of H'31, H'34, H'37, H'40 of this era and see how many have had failures. "I cannot remember one", but I am sure there have been a few. We just had our rig tuned after having the mast down and cannot believe how much better it sails. Find a rigger than understands what you have and you may understand the difference between what you are looking at and what you really have.
Back Stay is not required
My 1984 Hunter 31, with the B&R rig has a backstay, like the one you described. I too have thought about putting in a tensioner, but when reading up on the B&R rig, it was designed not to have a backstay at all! I assume our models used a backstay to keep skeptics buying the new design. I have wondered if it did not help, when the spinakker SNAPS into shape, but I never look at the back stay when that happens. Backstay tensioner's creat tighter headsail luff, and more mainsail leach. The B&R rig is to be pre-set, by adjusting the diamonds, and not be adjusted by a backstay. Look up B&R Rig on the internet for more articles about this rig. Do not adjust the backstay, since this could defeat the diamonds, and cause serious long term problems. Hire a professional tuner, familiar with the B&R rig.
My 1984 Hunter 31, with the B&R rig has a backstay, like the one you described. I too have thought about putting in a tensioner, but when reading up on the B&R rig, it was designed not to have a backstay at all! I assume our models used a backstay to keep skeptics buying the new design. I have wondered if it did not help, when the spinakker SNAPS into shape, but I never look at the back stay when that happens. Backstay tensioner's creat tighter headsail luff, and more mainsail leach. The B&R rig is to be pre-set, by adjusting the diamonds, and not be adjusted by a backstay. Look up B&R Rig on the internet for more articles about this rig. Do not adjust the backstay, since this could defeat the diamonds, and cause serious long term problems. Hire a professional tuner, familiar with the B&R rig.
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