Runners.......
Just a general rigging question:
1. Do running backstays have one line to either starboard or port or two lines to each side of the boat?
2. How can you tell how much tension is needed on the line? Too much or too little could be problematic
3. Do these backstays get in the way of the boom while tacking?? Is this an issue?
First, "runners" can be Running Backstays, from the mast head to the quarter of the boat on each side of the transom... Or, they can be Check Stays, from lower on the upper mast - these often keep the mast in line if the boat is hitting waves. Sometimes check stays will support the pull of an inner fore stay, or the tension from a fractional headstay.
Given that these stays are keeping spar from moving forward from it's normal position, enough tension to keep them tight is all that's usually needed.
For check stays, you will have to slack one off and take up the other when the boom changes sides.
If the main is hoisted, you might need to do the same for running back stays to allow the head board to clear.
In a heavy air jibe, having the boom hang up on a loaded runner would be bad -- might damage the boom.
Are you adding an inner stay and need support for it? That's often how this question comes up for an existing boat.
Regards,
Loren
(whose boat has parallel shrouds and therefor also has check stays that are only used, occasionally, in the ocean in big seas.)
