does someone knows where exactly the running backstay are supposed to be located on my hunter cutter 37. I posted a picture with numbers to help identifying the position...
Running backstay position H37c
- Thread starter Mathurin
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Well I can tell you how I use them. My running backstays are slightly aft of the most aft lower shroud. That might be a foot aft of your #1. I see their function being to offset the forces of two headsails, especially downwind. So because I rarely run with both headsails the backstays stay pretty much where they are. But when the wind pipes up and the main is way out there then I will move the windward runner back to about your #4.
I figure that at any point of sail the tension in the jib stays is going to increase as the wind picks up. Imagine you were able to pull sideways on the mid point of one of those stays, that will put both a side force and a forward force on the mast, the forward force being much more than the sideward one.
In the case of the jib the uppers and backstay will appose the force pruduced by the jib.
In the case of the staysail the inner forestay will put a force on the mast that will tend to pull it forward, out of column and that is what the backstays must counter.
My understanding of rig tuning is that the real test is how well the mast stays in column under all conditions.
Figuring that if the wind was really screaming I would probably be sailing under staysail and double reefed main I had the second reef put in so that the head of the sail would be well below the running backstays and would have the backstays far enough aft to clear the boom so they could stay in position on all points of sail. That would be pretty much at #4 as Ed says. Fortunatley (or unfortunatley) I have not had to test this yet.
As an add to the above, I have been told by a rigger that the toe rail should not be relied on and dedicated eyes would be better for this purpose.
I will be interested to read what other have to say.
John Brecher
In the case of the jib the uppers and backstay will appose the force pruduced by the jib.
In the case of the staysail the inner forestay will put a force on the mast that will tend to pull it forward, out of column and that is what the backstays must counter.
My understanding of rig tuning is that the real test is how well the mast stays in column under all conditions.
Figuring that if the wind was really screaming I would probably be sailing under staysail and double reefed main I had the second reef put in so that the head of the sail would be well below the running backstays and would have the backstays far enough aft to clear the boom so they could stay in position on all points of sail. That would be pretty much at #4 as Ed says. Fortunatley (or unfortunatley) I have not had to test this yet.
As an add to the above, I have been told by a rigger that the toe rail should not be relied on and dedicated eyes would be better for this purpose.
I will be interested to read what other have to say.
John Brecher
John is right - its all about keeping the mast in column or straight from top to bottom. My experience with the H37C is that starting somewhere around 30 knots going upwind is when you need the running backstays. At this point the jib will be furled and you will be under staysail and (possibly) a reefed main. On my boat I can feel the mast "pump" (sort of a wobble feeling) when a gust hits or falling off a wave. At that point I will put the windward runner on (clipped at about your #3 point), usually tensioned with the primary winch. It doesn't take much tension to get rid of the pumping. I know that pad eyes are suppossed to be better than the toe rail, but I figure there really isn't that much tension unless you are in a hurricane or something. I don't think I have ever used the runners going downwind. Its pretty much a feeling - you will know when it is time to use them and how much tension to apply. In nine years of sailing coastal Nova Scotia, the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and the Gulf of Maine, I have probably only used the runners half a dozen times.
John, about that "backstays far enough aft to clear the boom so they could stay in position on all points of sail". That seems dangerous to me. Yes, the boom might clear but will the main? I don't think so. An accidental gybe would be a problem I think. Anytime I have the windward runner moved back I am certain to have a preventer on the leeward rail. Or am I envisioning this wrong?
P.S. Haven't seen my boat in three months, needed to add a picture. She is so pretty. The Dismal Swamp canal on the way to NC.
P.S. Haven't seen my boat in three months, needed to add a picture. She is so pretty. The Dismal Swamp canal on the way to NC.
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I set my runners just forward of your #4. If the wind is howling then I run the line around the lazy windward primary winch. I don't think a 3:1 (end of the runner) ratio is going to be enough to keep the staysail luff straight. However, 3:1 on a winch should be plenty. The leeward runner is left attached to the toerail just aft of the lowers unless I am short tacking upwind, in which case it also is brought back and left loose so that it doesn't foul an eased main.
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