Broken Fiddle/becket block w/ V cam.

[Scott T-Bird]

Salty, your split backstay set-up is fine except that it didn't utilize the fiddle block (the one you want to replace) properly. I have to say, though, those are some dinky little blocks for the sail plan of a 2-27. I'm surpised by that. Maybe its just me but I would replace them just because they look undersized.

Ever notice how a lot of equipment is suggested for boats from say 22' to 27' and the next step up is 27' to mid-size? I know a lot of people think 'ok, why spend the extra money, the small stuff will work fine'. I always think the opposite. I would never put the same sailing hardware on my boat that can be used on a Catalina 22 (for instance). Maybe I like to blow my money, but those blocks look like the hardware for a much smaller boat. A Cal 2-27 is beefier than my 27' Starwind so that's why it looks odd to me anyway.

 

[saltysailor]

Salty, your split backstay set-up is fine except that it didn't utilize the fiddle block (the one you want to replace) properly. I have to say, though, those are some dinky little blocks for the sail plan of a 2-27. I'm surpised by that. Maybe its just me but I would replace them just because they look undersized.

Ever notice how a lot of equipment is suggested for boats from say 22' to 27' and the next step up is 27' to mid-size? I know a lot of people think 'ok, why spend the extra money, the small stuff will work fine'. I always think the opposite. I would never put the same sailing hardware on my boat that can be used on a Catalina 22 (for instance). Maybe I like to blow my money, but those blocks look like the hardware for a much smaller boat. A Cal 2-27 is beefier than my 27' Starwind so that's why it looks odd to me anyway.

To be honest, I haven't given it much thought because I'm fairly new to "big" boats. All my sailing has been in smaller boats until recently so an adjustable backstay is a new thing to me. I have ordered some Garhauer blocks that are much beefier and hopefully I will be playing around with the backstay more now as it will be fresh in my mind. I've messed with it a bit tightening when close hauled but really haven't made it a part of my sailing routine but I think I will now. The new hardware will be the nicest and shiniest part of my boat. Hopefully I won't be looking backwards the whole time while sailing. Thanks for the input. Maybe I'll put a photo up of the new hardware by next week.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

I had always thought that my windward pointing ability was lacking and last year I went forward when Sue was driving and thought that the sag in the forestay just looked excessive. So I decided to make a priority out of installing a backstay adjuster for this year.

This has been the saddest year for wind that I have experienced yet, but I still have noticed a significant improvement since using it. One thing I have noticed now is that as I tighten the backstay for windward sailing, I am seeing more slack in my leeward shrouds (particularly the lower). I am now thinking that I need to know a lot more about rigging tensions. The process of learning about all the rigging components is never-ending!

One of the things that I have been concerned about is that the more sailing hardware I add, the more difficult it may be for Sue to enjoy the boat. I don't want to drive her away from sailing over an obsession with sail trim and sail boat hardware. On a smaller boat like ours, I think it is a concern that the hardware makes the boat too cluttered.

What I have been slowly learning is that when components are well-placed and thought out, the additions I have installed have actually made sailing more enjoyable and less (fruitless) work!

 

[saltysailor]

I just wanted to show a pic of the new hardware in case anyone could learn from it and this post. I could have used the sheave on the adjuster but I didn't really get that until putting it together. None the less, I used the system today and it does work great.

 

[Joe]

NICE