My C27 has a split back stay with a bridal that can be attached to an adjustment block set-up. I am 6'3" tall and my head brushes up against the bridal even when the adjustment blocks are not in place. Can I lengthen the wires (no more than 1') that lead from the port and starboard tangs and shorten the back stay to raise the bridal without altering the overall sail geometry? The mast is down for some repairs and I'd like to take advantage of as much as possible while it's down. Gerard
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Geometry stays the same
I would think that the angle from stern to truck on the mast remains the same. What will happen is that you will have to pull the car closer to the transom to achieve the same amount of force on the the mast. By moving the bridal attachment point higher up the backstay you increase your mechanical advantage, and require more movement of the car to get the same force. But I have a question for the racers out there, just how much good does an adjustable backstay do on a masthead rig like the C-27? I know it would remove sag on the forestay, but does it really do much to flatten the main? Or is this something that only happens in fractional rigs?
I would think that the angle from stern to truck on the mast remains the same. What will happen is that you will have to pull the car closer to the transom to achieve the same amount of force on the the mast. By moving the bridal attachment point higher up the backstay you increase your mechanical advantage, and require more movement of the car to get the same force. But I have a question for the racers out there, just how much good does an adjustable backstay do on a masthead rig like the C-27? I know it would remove sag on the forestay, but does it really do much to flatten the main? Or is this something that only happens in fractional rigs?
Mast head Mast bend
Our masthead C310 (old C25) is also not considered a bendy rig. I've always just used it to loosen the jib luff in light to moderate wind, and then bring it up good and tight for heavy air. The top of the mast does come back about 2 or 3 inches when it's on hard, but even with my tight forward lowers, I think the bend in the middle of the mast is negligible. I don't see that it flattens the mainsail at all. Even so, I like the ability to control forestay sag.
Our masthead C310 (old C25) is also not considered a bendy rig. I've always just used it to loosen the jib luff in light to moderate wind, and then bring it up good and tight for heavy air. The top of the mast does come back about 2 or 3 inches when it's on hard, but even with my tight forward lowers, I think the bend in the middle of the mast is negligible. I don't see that it flattens the mainsail at all. Even so, I like the ability to control forestay sag.
Have at it 
As long as the length does not change, where the split is makes no difference. On masthead rigs, backstay tension controls forestay sag and thus the draft of the foresail. On some masts the backstay can also bend the mast out of column and control mainsail draft. The standard mast section on Catalina 27's does not bend enough to make much difference in mainsail draft.
As long as the length does not change, where the split is makes no difference. On masthead rigs, backstay tension controls forestay sag and thus the draft of the foresail. On some masts the backstay can also bend the mast out of column and control mainsail draft. The standard mast section on Catalina 27's does not bend enough to make much difference in mainsail draft.
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