Shroud rigging

[andy creighton]

I picked this up on Sunday:
http://sailingtexas.com/201601/sspindrift19101
(I know it isn't really an Oday, but it was an Oday design.)

Today I raised the mast and gave the cabin a thorough scrubbing. The boat looks pretty good, but I cannot figure out the rear stay on the mast.

The rear stay stops at about the height the boom should be. The PO has a block and tackle with rope connected to the shroud and then to the stern of the boat. They did use this boat primarily for racing.

Is this normal. Or am I screwing something up? The stay seams to be way too short to reach the stern of the boat.

 

[andy creighton]

Sorry no pictures right now. It got dark on me.

 

[Kermit]

Just a guess here. Could you have the mast upside down?

 

[Meriachee]

Adjustable backstay?

 

[SchwarckT]

It does sound like an adjustable backstay that is used by racers. I had to replace all the standing rigging on my 1978 model when I bought it. You can buy new rigging at www.drmarine.com or just modify what you already have. There is a lot of info for the boat on this site under the "boat info" tab.

 

[Joe]

Shrouds support the mast sideways. The fore and aft wire in question is called a backstay, its opposite is the headstay or forestay. Remember, stays are fore and aft... shrouds are athwartship. Anyhow, the block and tackle is for adjusting the tension on the backstay. Your boat is fractionally rigged.... that means the forestay and backstay do not meet at the top... the forestay attaching somewhat lower. The imbalance means that you can impart bend in the mast by tensioning the backstay. The fulcrum effect of the headstay causes the top of the mast to leverage against the middle.... Picture a pole vaulter bending his fiberglass pole.

It's not just a racer thing....it's an integral part of the mainsail trimming system. Bending the mast will flatten the sail... straighten it and the sail becomes fuller... Study the many trim guides available to learn how and when to use this and other trim features on this nifty boat.... Here's some more info: http://usmariner.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=953644&module_id=46762

 

[andy creighton]

Thank you. I thought that might be the case, but want sure. The manual shows the boat with just a backstay run to a turnbuckle in the picturebut gives no descripting in the rigging guide even though it explains all the others in detail.

 

[Meriachee]

That would have been the factory installation, a single wire to the transom. If you've never used an adjustable backstay, it would be easy to see it as a point of failure, in fact could well be one, if there was no mechanism to prevent it from coming apart at the worst possible time. That should not deter you from using it in it's present configuration, in fact, it's advantageous as somebody has already put the time into crafting the system.
If you are unsure of how it goes together, lay it on the lawn and assemble it as you think it goes, and if you're still unsure, take a couple of pictures and put them up. Somebody will have seen it before and can guide you.

 

[andy creighton]

I thought I would poat a picture in case anyone else runs into this.

I get it but I may order a regular backstay to replace it since I am not going to be racing.

 

[andy creighton]

Oops didn't upload.

 

[Meriachee]

Oops didn't upload.

Too big?

 

[Ritdog]

Its's a topping lift- I wish I had yours here- I forgot to put mine on when I launched; will have make one, and go up the mast to install. It keeps the boom off the deck with the sail down.

BTW, if you don't have backstay connected to the tang on the transom, you are in deep trouble: the mast can now fall forward. The shrouds will take some of the load, but you NEED to get that fixed NOW, and I mean NOW.

 

[shemandr]

I'm not sure about whether it's a topping lift or adjustable backstay. But, I will say that for a fractional rig it is a mistake to dismiss an adjustable backstay as "For racing." The backstay is a beautiful, easy, reachable and effective way to power up or depower the rig. I would rate the adjustable backstay on a fractional rig as nearly effective as a first reef - and it's so much easier. So for day sailors, cruisers and other non-racers the adjustable backstay on a fractional rig, will increase your comfort as wind conditions change and help keep the boat moving, which is fun.

 

[Meriachee]

Doubtful a topping lift on a small rig would be wire to blocks.

 

[andy creighton]

ignore the orange bungee that I have holding up the boom.

 

[andy creighton]

 

[Joe]

The orange thing is simply a pig tail to support the boom when the sail is down... you would disconnect it when you raise the sail. Instead of that monstrosity you should use a single short line with a clip on either end. When not in use, clipping the bottom end to the backstay will keep it out of the way.

FYI, a topping lift WILL NOT be attached to the backstay. It will have its own connection at the masthead... inside the backstay connection. This allows the topping lift to support the boom in light air in all positions while staying independent of the backstay.

If you order a new backstay... you'll still have to have a turnbuckle at the base for adjustment. I wouldn't get rid of the adjuster though. As you learn more about sailing you'll find it a useful tool...

 

[Brian S]

An adjustable topping lift is also an excellent sail control. When sailing in light wind, the weight of the boom can pull the leech closed, and the top of the main won't twist off correctly. A topping lift or Boomkicker (if you have a fixed position gooseneck) can support the boom and induce twist for proper trim.