I have purchased a 'boat-in-a-basket' with rod rigging which lacks the hydraulic backstay adjuster....and have heard that they have been known to come undone in a blow causing rig failure...and as such are good for the around the marks racing but not so for blue water use. Are the Navtec units subject to these failures? Are there rebuilt units available out there at less than new prices? Or should I get the backstay rod shortened and go with a split cable & sheave system? (Thanks for any input.)
- Status
Depends...
The issue with the backstay adjuster is news to me. I used a split backstay with a 4 to 1 purchase and blocks. It worked well on a 27' boat. But on a larger rig with a big fore triangle, I'd opt for the hydraulic one. If you are looking for one used, try Minney's Marine. They have a website. Good luck. Rick D.
The issue with the backstay adjuster is news to me. I used a split backstay with a 4 to 1 purchase and blocks. It worked well on a 27' boat. But on a larger rig with a big fore triangle, I'd opt for the hydraulic one. If you are looking for one used, try Minney's Marine. They have a website. Good luck. Rick D.
Navtec hydraulic backstay adjusters are not known to come apart in a blow. I have seen one that was serviced improperly that came apart at the dock (example of why these things need to be serviced by authorized service centers) These are excellent systems. Whatever you do, please do not do the cable & sheave system (that you most likely saw on some boats at the Annapolis show) This was a bad idea twenty years ago, and is still a bad idea. Why new boat builders are doing this now I have no idea. If you wish to discuss this vessel feel free to give me a call at 800-718-1649 Best regards, Peter Linwick Florida Rigging & Hydraulics
Why not Pete?
Pete, Why not do the cable and sheave system? I am thinking of doing that type of system on a newer boat I am looking at (my old First 32 has a Navtec on it, but will be sold with the boat, and is also a single-backstay arrangement). There are several ways I can think of to do it with a split backstay (which I will have next): 1. Plate & sheave arrangement where the plate is pulled down with a block and tackle and the sheaves "pinch" the split stays together and effectively shortening (tensioning) the backstay. The T-Ten I raced on for years had this and it was pretty reliable and fail-safe. 2. Upper backstay terminates with large wire sheave, split backstay is a wire that deadends on one side, goes up through sheave, then down to block & tackle system that tensions it (with a wire piece strung between block beckets for fail-safe). 3. Same as 2, but using a Navtec to create the tensioning (not enough travel on Navtec for system #1). All of these would be fail-safe in my mind, in case the rope part breaks. What are your thoughts on each and why? Thanks, Tim
Pete, Why not do the cable and sheave system? I am thinking of doing that type of system on a newer boat I am looking at (my old First 32 has a Navtec on it, but will be sold with the boat, and is also a single-backstay arrangement). There are several ways I can think of to do it with a split backstay (which I will have next): 1. Plate & sheave arrangement where the plate is pulled down with a block and tackle and the sheaves "pinch" the split stays together and effectively shortening (tensioning) the backstay. The T-Ten I raced on for years had this and it was pretty reliable and fail-safe. 2. Upper backstay terminates with large wire sheave, split backstay is a wire that deadends on one side, goes up through sheave, then down to block & tackle system that tensions it (with a wire piece strung between block beckets for fail-safe). 3. Same as 2, but using a Navtec to create the tensioning (not enough travel on Navtec for system #1). All of these would be fail-safe in my mind, in case the rope part breaks. What are your thoughts on each and why? Thanks, Tim
Have that
I think I have the system Tim is describing(if I am understanding). I have a single upper back stay on my H34 with split lower stays with the starboard one adjusted with a Navtec tensioner. Is this what you are talking about. Is that an okey system or with problems. I have had the boat one season and so far it has done well.
I think I have the system Tim is describing(if I am understanding). I have a single upper back stay on my H34 with split lower stays with the starboard one adjusted with a Navtec tensioner. Is this what you are talking about. Is that an okey system or with problems. I have had the boat one season and so far it has done well.
- Status