I purchased a 1984 O’Day 26 in San Diego a few weeks ago. It was on the hard with the mast down. It’s in great shape but the backstay is missing and I can’t find any info on the length and for obvious reasons I can’t just measure the old one. Anyone have the length? I need to get one made ASAP.
O’Day 26 Backstay length
- Thread starter kensh1
- Start date
Welcome to the forum and congratulations on you new sailboat!!
Contact Rudy at DR Marine who sells O'Day rigging: DR Marine Product List
Contact Rudy at DR Marine who sells O'Day rigging: DR Marine Product List
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 24,589
It is always great if someone can just tell you the length. Sometime possible if they have the records. I would try reaching out to Rigging Only, Rigging Only. They may have the data in their records.
You can always use your High School Geometry skills as the backstay is the Hypotenuse of a right triangle formed by the Mast height and the Mast base to the stern. Measure the mast base to stern (MBStrn) and the Mast deck to the top of the mast (MastLeng) then calculate the BackStay length using the Pythagorean theorem.
You can always use your High School Geometry skills as the backstay is the Hypotenuse of a right triangle formed by the Mast height and the Mast base to the stern. Measure the mast base to stern (MBStrn) and the Mast deck to the top of the mast (MastLeng) then calculate the BackStay length using the Pythagorean theorem.
MBStrn = a
MastLeng = b
BackStay = c
a2 + b2 = c2
BackStay is the Square Root of c2
JSSailem points out an important application of Pythagorean theorem - one I was thinking of sending along myself but stopped short, for at least a couple of reasons - and for your consideration. First - you need to calculate the length to within an inch or so to be successful. To do that you must account for the rake of the mast, the height of the mast base above the transom attachment point, and any and all attachment hardware used when installed. (Like shackles, crevices, D-rings, forks, turn buckles, tangs, and the like) both at the mast and on the transom. perfectly doable, but your work must be accurate and precise to within the throw of the turnbuckle.
If I were doing it,, I would raise the mast with a halyard holding the mast from astern. before doing that, be sure to secure the end of a tape measure to the attachment point on the mast so you can get accurate measurements to your attachment points. Then - take the opportunity to make the back stay a split design. with the mast up and a tape measure attached, you can make really accurate measurements for the fabrication. The split back stay will give you several inches of adjustment instead of just the inch or two a turnbuckle will give. Heck, you could even put a couple of turnbuckles- one on each side of the split. Also - you will have to add an attachment point opposite the existing one. (on my 26 I would add a starboard attachment for example). Rudy at D&R marine can help with the split back stay fixture and the second attachment hardware. The amount of time to accomplish properly is very little different than just replacing a single ...when you don't know what the length is. Either way you go - you won't be wrong. To do a proper job of it you will have to raise the mast either way.
Whatever you do- be sure to have fun with it!
Chris
If I were doing it,, I would raise the mast with a halyard holding the mast from astern. before doing that, be sure to secure the end of a tape measure to the attachment point on the mast so you can get accurate measurements to your attachment points. Then - take the opportunity to make the back stay a split design. with the mast up and a tape measure attached, you can make really accurate measurements for the fabrication. The split back stay will give you several inches of adjustment instead of just the inch or two a turnbuckle will give. Heck, you could even put a couple of turnbuckles- one on each side of the split. Also - you will have to add an attachment point opposite the existing one. (on my 26 I would add a starboard attachment for example). Rudy at D&R marine can help with the split back stay fixture and the second attachment hardware. The amount of time to accomplish properly is very little different than just replacing a single ...when you don't know what the length is. Either way you go - you won't be wrong. To do a proper job of it you will have to raise the mast either way.
Whatever you do- be sure to have fun with it!
Chris
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 24,589
When challenged with an exact length you need to understand the features of the back stay and how you make the connections.
The mast head is a fixed point.
The stern chainplate has several fixtures that permit length adjustment. There is an adjustable toggle. You can install an adjuster to tighten or release the back stay.
You can install a Norseman or Hi-Mod fitting after you know the length you need.
The mast head is a fixed point.
The stern chainplate has several fixtures that permit length adjustment. There is an adjustable toggle. You can install an adjuster to tighten or release the back stay.
You can install a Norseman or Hi-Mod fitting after you know the length you need.