Running Backstays -- Location on the mast

Status
Not open for further replies.
Apr 4, 2006
1
- - Whitehall MI
I need to install running backstays on my C&C 33 MKII. I'm wondering where I should terminate on the mast. My first guess is midway between the 2 spreaders. I hope to get some input from users in this group.
 

Joe

.
Jun 1, 2004
8,311
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
Good Question!

I can't really answer it specifically but here is a link to a similar question posed to the North Sails forum. If the reason you are installing the backstays is to support an inner forestay set up, then I would attach them near the point were the inner forestay attaches. http://www.northsails.com/north_america/Cruising_Sails/SolutionsProfurlEC.htm
 
C

Chris Pratt

Less bend

Joe, Thanks for the link -- lots of useful information. Mostly, I need to keep my "bendy" mast in column when I apply backstay pressure to tension the headstay. What's happening is the mast bend flattens my main, when all I want is more headstay tension. The location of my babystay seems low as it is attached under my first set of spreaders. I'm wondering if half-way between the cabintop and upper spreaders is right.
 

Alan

.
Jun 2, 2004
4,174
Hunter 35.5 LI, NY
Chris, The runners are placed at or near the hounds(attachment point of the headstay) An alternative to runners is a jumper strut. This allows for good headstay tension when the backstay is applied.
 

Joe

.
Jun 1, 2004
8,311
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
bendy mast

There's got to be a less expensive and easier way to keep your mast straight or put tension on the headstay. How about easing the babystay to keep it from pulling the middle of the mast forward. If you haven't been here yet, check it out. An excellent tuning guide on this site. http://www.cncphotoalbum.com/ http://www.cncphotoalbum.com/indexes/tuningndx.htm
 
R

Richard

Our double spreader mast

has runners below the top spreaders, about 20% of the way down. This is a Hall Spar section on a Frers 33. Another thing to consider is where the runners terminate on deck. Originally our runners ended out on the side deck. Wnen we tightened the runner it would pull the mast out of column. It drove me crazy trying to get our mast tuned, until I figured out what was happening. Try to locate your deck attachment point as close to the center of your boat as possible. The runners will stop mast pumping, and allow another adjustment tool for your mainsail.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.