I have a Hunter 23, which has a backstay. I found out my friend who has a Hunter 23.5 does not have a backstay. I feel safer knowing my mast has the backstay and feel it would help prevent demasting more than a boat not haveing a backstay. Does anyone have any literature for or against that self-made theory?
You will learn over time than many boat designs do not have "backstays" per se. The mast is supported in other ways. Almost all small sailing vessels... catamarans, dinghies, etc. are not designed with backstays. Catamarans in particular because their twin hull geometry, coupled with a mainsail that has large roach (the curved area of the sail beyond a straight line from top to back corner). That's also why you will see full length battens sewn into their mainsail..... to support the extra roach area... a backstay would interfere with the sails battens when it goes from side to side.
You'll no see backstays in most racing dinghies.... under 18 ft for sure... for the same reason, large mainsails and relatively short hull length,
Boats that don't have the traditional backstays you imagine, support their masts with a forward stay going to the pointy end of the hull, and two swept back shrouds (sometimes referred to as "side stays").
These 3 stays create a triangular support.... just like a large radio antenna. Each stay will be adjustable to optimize performance.
My Nacra 5.2 (17ft beach cat) is typical. A forestay and two swept back shrouds. The traditional backstay's rig adjustment features allow the crew to control aspects of the mast and thus affect the trim of headsail and mainsail. With out a backstay, sailors control mast bend and forestay tension (which in turn affects mainsail and headsail shape/trim) by using other tools. A powerful cunningham, for instance, not only tensions mainsail luff tension, but is strong enough to actually impart mast bend. Beach cats and other small backstay-less boats will have extra powerful mainsheet tackle... which can also help bend the mast via the mainsail's leech (trailing edge). The boom vang can provide additional trim options not needed with a backstay equipped.
Therefore, young sailor, a boat with no backstay is nothing to fear....unless of course, it's supposed to have one. In that case, someone has goofed.
So.... quit you're fretting. What you should actually be concerned with is what to do if your boat's backstay breaks!!!! You really need to know that before you take your boat out again. I challenge you to answer that question.
"What if the boat's backstay breaks? How do I prevent losing the mast?" Pop quiz tomorrow, do your homework, don't wait for someone else to give the answer. good luck, have fun.