Small question, large answer
Hello, If this is a B&R rig, you'll rely more on sail adjustments than rig adjustments, unlike conventional Bermudian rigs. But consider the tune as a foundation, one that makes sail adjustment more effective. Let's start with that backstay. On a B&R it is somewhat vestigial, because the aft-swept spreaders contribute — or should contribute — most or all of the aft staying component. And indeed on newer B&R's, wth maximally-swept spreaders, there is no standing backstay. So if you have one it is partly because the spreaders are shorter and less swept than on newer boats, and partly because, on this vintage of Hunter, Lars Bergstrom and company wanted to use it to supplement the uppers, as well as to play a bit with mast shape. You won't gain forestay tension with it, as you would with a masthead rig, but it will contribute to it. And you won't be able to play with mast shape as much as you could with a conventional rig, because doing so would mess with shroud tension too much, but you can effect some mast shape changes. So think of the backstay as a force that causes the upper part of the mast to pivot around the forestay, while simultaneously tightening or loosening the forestay, thus affecting both mains'l and jib shape. If you choose not to have an adjuster on your backstay, consider the backstay as a way to supplement the aft-staying component of the uppers, while helping to give the mast a fair fore-and-aft curve. Next, running backstays. On a conventional rig, the pull of the forestay is opposed by the mast itself in light airs, but under serious loads the mast flexes too much forward, so you have to kick in the runners to keep the stay tight, and to keep the mast shape where you want it. On a B&R the D2's (the wires leading from the roots of the upper spreaders to the outboard ends of the lower spreaders) are meant to perform this function; adding runners here could actually destabilize the rig, by slacking the D2's. So if you think you need runners, you might actually need to adjust the tension in the rig above the lower spreaders. I just spent a couple of days in Portland, Oregon, tuning 11 boats, mostly Hunters. On some of them the the V1's and D1's (lower shrouds and the verticals that go from deck to the outboard ends of the lower spreaders) were too slack. But on most ofthem the diamons and diagonals up higher were absurdly out of wack. It's a complex rig to tune well, but in a nutshell: since all the wires are about the same length, and under about the same relative load, they'll all want to be under about the same tension, of about 10% to 12%; and, do your best to accomplish this while achieving desired mast shape. In your case, I'd start with a check on the tension on all the wires. It is possible, for instance, that you have the desired tension on the D1's and V1's, too much load on the V2's and D3's, and too little on the D2's and diamonds (the wires that angle up and out to the spreaders). Like I said, it's a complex rig. But Hunter hulls are essentially designed around this rig, designed to perform best when the rig is set up right. This leaves the matter of sail adjustment. Lars had it in mind to rely more on sail controls than rig controls, once the standing rig was tuned. So be sure you are making the most of mains'l controls: traveler; mainsheet; vang; outhaul; halyard; and Cunningham. It's a fractional rig, so effective use of the main is vital. For pointing in a breeze, start by tightening the Cunningham, and perhaps the outhaul. Let the traveler down a bit, to reduce weather helm. Make sure the vang isn't too tight. On the jib, consider installing a Cunningham there as well. The idea, as on the main, is to flatten the belly of the sail without affecting the leach. Check the lead from the Genoa cars, for good sail shape. And confer with your sailmaker on how much luff sag is right for the sail; you can't always get as utterly tight on the forestay as you can on a masthead rig, but at least you'll have something to shoot for — and to avoid exceeding. Fair leads, Brion Toss
