Safe to temporarily remove backstay for haul out?

[Jecemis]

Hi!

I have a 1985 Hunter 31. Earlier this year I tried to haul out for a survey. She didn't fit on the lift, however, due to it having a B&R rig. The surveyor suggested that I could temporarily remove the split backstay while getting lifted out, then reconnecting it after she was on blocks.

Can anyone confirm that this is safe to do? And what tools would I need to remove/replace the rigging?

I will need to haul out for winter storage in a couple weeks, so I'm hoping to figure out all my options, allowing for enough time to move to another marina if need be.

 

[Allan12210]

I've done that on my H34 several times. The swept back spreader arrangement provides for aft support of the mast via the shrouds. Remove the cotter pins on the backstay turnbuckles. You then want to hold the cable from twisting while you unscrew the turnbuckle barrel. I either use an open ended wrench on the flats or some locking vise grip pliers. Use a large screwdriver or the handle of some channel locks to begin loosening the turnbuckle. I always count how many turns (or half turns) I am rotating the barrel so I can put it back at the exact same tension. Don't forget to write that number down so you can reinstall it next year after you forget how tight it was.

 

[Captn Scotty]

If you have the mainsheet traveler centered and tensioned it shouldn't let the mast go forward, or would that also be in the way for haulout?

 

[kloudie1]

Scotty is correct.. Every time 've pulled the backstay, I have the traveler tensioned against the boom topping lift and that will prevent the mast from going forward... in addition to the swept back spreaders taking some load. As Allan says, count the turns to loosen the turnbuckle, or if ya carefully wrap a piece of tape around the threads on the turnbuckle right at the point where the threads exit the body, you can quickly re-tension to pretty much exactly where it was.. by tightening until the body meets the tape edge.

 

[Jecemis]

Thanks guys! This is exactly the info I needed.

I'm wondering if my traveller is in the same position as your guys. Mine is located right above the companionway. When you say to have it tensioned against the boom, does that mean having it locked into the center of the traveller so that it can't swing? I'm going out there today or tomorrow. I can take pics if that will help.

 

[Don Crowther]

Like Allan I've removed the backstays several times for the travel lift. I found it easier to mark the turnbuckles than try and remember the number of turns. Someone always interrupts while I'm counting!

 

[Jake N Eggs]

If you are concerned about the mid boom traveler tie the end of the boom down to the aft cleats and tighten the topping lift.

 

[kloudie1]

As long as you aren't planning on sailing with your jib , there is not a lot of force required to keep the mast up.. center the traveler and lock both sides so it can't swing then put a little tension on the main sheet and lock it so it holds the tension.. Loosen the backstay first and then tension the centered traveler against the topping lift.. then you can take the pins out that hold the backstay..

 

[Capt jgw]

A little dab of nail polish or other fast drying paint on the turnbuckle threads will let you screw them back in exactly as they were.
I once had my back stay off all winter while I was doing some repairs. I ran the main halyard to a stern cleat and tensioned it. Probably was nearly as strong as the original stay.

 

[kiteflyer]

I take my boom off of my '91 Hunter 28 for the winter, and that allows me to attach my topping lift sheet to my traveler while the crane is moving the boat. Tension that up and you're fine. I've seen a couple of guys forget to release their backstay and when the crane lifts the boat up out of the water it'll catch and cause all sorts of damage.

 

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