Hi All - I am new to this forum but I need a little help / assistance. My Beneteau 393 was shipped from CA to RI early in 2012 and we just got her back in the water in June 2013. Obviously the mast was totally stripped and wrapped for shipping. When we de-rigged in CA I marked all the shrouds / stays with tape for future reference - I also noted minimal thread engagement on the two fixed back stays and they were pretty taught. When re-stepping the mast in RI recently we could not re-engage the port backstay and barely got the starboard one engaged. Yard owner suggested installing a toggle at masthead on head stay to add some length. I estimate we would add 1 1/2" with toggle. We did and were able to engage backstays. However, I now have much more of a fore and aft bend in the mast when tensioning up backstays for a good head stay tension. Should I move the toggle to backstay or will that have little impact? I am concerned that too much bend (est 9") will effect mast and the main sail furl. Attached is a photo of mast head prior to adding toggle. Advice? Bob
Beneteau 393 Mast back stays
- Thread starter rkern
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Sounds like something is definitely wrong. My 423 has at least a couple of inches of thread going into the back stay turnbuckles. I assume when you derigged it your had plenty of thread? Also that you positioned the head stay into the correct position - should have several holes in the bow fitting. And that the shrouds fit correctly (in case you swapped the primaries for the backstays)?
I would opt for a straighter mast and instead putting a couple of extra turnbuckles on the back stay.
Also are you on the 393 owners site? I understand its pretty active and you'll probably get model specific recommendations there.
I would opt for a straighter mast and instead putting a couple of extra turnbuckles on the back stay.
Also are you on the 393 owners site? I understand its pretty active and you'll probably get model specific recommendations there.
I have the same problem connecting the backstays on my 323. I let out every turnbuckle as far as I can, yet have to use the main halyard to pull the masthead back far enough to get a connection. After the boat sits in the water for a week or so, I can take up more turns on the aft turnbuckles and the shrouds. I use a Loos gauge to make sure that tension is correct for the wire size.
I agree that the mast looks like it is raked too far. The owners manual does show an extra tang in the headstay at the masthead which my boat currently does not have.
in my opinion the problem is exacerbated by the lack of a turnbuckle in the headstay. Another issue is the double turnbuckle setup on the backstays which looks like a bandaid fix due to a rigger making the stays too short in the first place. I can't justify the cost of new backstays, but I have thought about adding extra tangs or a longer turnbuckle bolt between each of the double turnbuckles.
Oddly enough, when everything is taken apart in the fall, it's easy to detach the stays and shrouds
I agree that the mast looks like it is raked too far. The owners manual does show an extra tang in the headstay at the masthead which my boat currently does not have.
in my opinion the problem is exacerbated by the lack of a turnbuckle in the headstay. Another issue is the double turnbuckle setup on the backstays which looks like a bandaid fix due to a rigger making the stays too short in the first place. I can't justify the cost of new backstays, but I have thought about adding extra tangs or a longer turnbuckle bolt between each of the double turnbuckles.
Oddly enough, when everything is taken apart in the fall, it's easy to detach the stays and shrouds
Thanks TJ - Not a lot of thread on back stays when de-rigging. Cotter pin holes cleared turn buckle by about 1/4" - 1/2". All shrouds and stays in correct position on boat. Athwartship trim of rig looks good. Head stay in same 1/2" pin hole position as at de-rig. Bob
FYI my 423 has a double set of turnbuckles for each backstay. This arrangement might solve your problem.
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