Sailing genoa only

[fdnynapes]

I have a 2010 26m, it has no back stay. Is it safe/ok to sail with head sail only?
The manual states the main sail replaces the back stay. The former owner stated he sailed head sail only often.

 

[finding41]

Have you seen or heard about the rigging failures with the 26M? May want to check into that first.
"The manual states the main sail replaces the back stay." I don't get how this works...
I'm sure your side stays are set back further than the 26X/D/S.
That is what allows no back stay.
I don't think there would be a problem just flying a big genoa if your rigging is tensioned properly.

 

[Sumner]

There have been forestay failures on the M. Most all that I read about had a furler with no toggles either top or bottom and personally I think that was the problem and it could be increased with the rotating mast. CDI wants you to use toggles...

(our top toggle)

(bottom toggle)

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor2/rigging-24.html

...and we do with our furler and I for sure would with a M. They are cheap insurance,

Sum

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[Jackdaw]

The manual states the main sail replaces the back stay.

This is true when there is tension on mainsheet. The load-path from the clew of the main to the head is then tensioned with a fair amount of load, and acts in some fashion to hold up the mast.

This is also why, when a backstay fails on a masthead boat. You DO NOT drop your mainsail, but harden it up. It will hold up the mast while you sort out a jury rig.