So how do we control headstay tension...

[Alan]

...on a fractional rig without running backs and still get pointing? A sloppy headstay will kill pointing and backstay tension does nothing for headstay tension. Backstay will bend the mast to flatten the main but will do next to nothing to the headstay tension. I'm carrying 17" of rake for max pointing but how do I get added headstay tension???

 

[Rick D]

Don't Need A Tight Headstay

I have had three fractional rigs. The main when tight and close-hauled will tighten the jib some, but the key is a jib cut for the headstay sag to begin with. Then all is well. Rick D.

 

[Alan]

Rick,

Sheeting in the main takes out twist and depowers it. Adding backstay flattens, and outhaul and cunningham decrease draft and move it forward. None of this has any affect on headstay tension which is critical for good genoa control. A loose headstay is what you need for running, but as the apparent wind starts to come forward, more and more headstay tension is needed. How do you do it without runners?

 

[Rick D]

Well...

...the first boat I had for almost two decades had a bendy rig with the forward lowers removed which was common practice. And, yes, tightening up on the main did, in fact, add some headstay tension. Same with the second one which was a free-standing rig. My current one has aft-raked spreaders and there is some increase in tension when the main is tight, but no where near what the other boats' rigs exhibited. My sail maker advised me that he cut the jibs to allow for some headstay sag that was common on (these) fractionally-rigged boats. I recognize this is is contrary to fractionally-rigged boats with runners or masthead rigs, but I doubt it's otherwise all that uncommon. Rick D.

 

[Captain Ron12266]

Pointing with a B

I adjusted my B

 

[Alan]

Catain Ron,

Sounds like you have everything up to speed. I have the aft swept spreaders as do most Hunters, but I don't have the B&R rig. I had a 34 ten years ago and it had the B&R, however the 35.5 doesn't have it and you are right that the tuning on the B&R is different.