The only stay on the rebuild Hunter 27 I'm working on, was the forestay. I'm within a week of stepping the mast and installing the rigging. Every similar Hunter I have looked at in person or by photo uses a split backstay. Since I'm starting fresh....and think a bit out of the box, I'm leaning toward double backstays - i.e. 2 backstays , each from the masthead to the jackplates. My reasoning is that it eliminates connections and that 3 stays would always outperform 2. I've tricked myself into such folly before so I'm asking for devils advocates on the subject. So far everyone seems to agree, and I have seen at least 1 mast on a big cat with double back stays. Other than weight - which is nominal, and aesthetics - which are not a concern, anyone see a flaw in my reasoning? IslandJack
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Lower Split Allows Adjusting Tension
Had a block and tackle on a split backstay on the H30 tall which allowed me to vary the tension on the backstay and hence the forestay. The block and tackle was on one side of the split that connected to a wire cable that ran through a single block on the end of the back stay and then down the other side. Not sure I am clear. There are other methods of providing tension with a lower split on your backstay. It was a decided advantage allowing me to tighten up the forestay by putting increased tension on the back stay, thus allowing me to point higher than I might with a slack forestay. I'll be interested in other answers to your question.
Had a block and tackle on a split backstay on the H30 tall which allowed me to vary the tension on the backstay and hence the forestay. The block and tackle was on one side of the split that connected to a wire cable that ran through a single block on the end of the back stay and then down the other side. Not sure I am clear. There are other methods of providing tension with a lower split on your backstay. It was a decided advantage allowing me to tighten up the forestay by putting increased tension on the back stay, thus allowing me to point higher than I might with a slack forestay. I'll be interested in other answers to your question.
Single backstay on our '77 model
And we don't race, so tuning the main with the backstay is not a need. And this is certainly by far the most simple approach. None of the h27's I've seen on Lake Erie has a split backstay. I don't think that big, stiff aluminum mast is made for bending anyway. David Lady Lillie '77 h27
And we don't race, so tuning the main with the backstay is not a need. And this is certainly by far the most simple approach. None of the h27's I've seen on Lake Erie has a split backstay. I don't think that big, stiff aluminum mast is made for bending anyway. David Lady Lillie '77 h27
For the sake of discussion . . .
Stiff masts don't bend, but they sure tip. . . and while one doesn't race, one does need some days to sail really close to the wind. Extra tension on the forestay by tipping the mast back via a backstay adjuster, did wonders for me. I would spend the few extra dollars and do it again.
Stiff masts don't bend, but they sure tip. . . and while one doesn't race, one does need some days to sail really close to the wind. Extra tension on the forestay by tipping the mast back via a backstay adjuster, did wonders for me. I would spend the few extra dollars and do it again.
Our 1989 H28 had a split backstay mainly...
because of the walk through transom. I like the idea of an adjustable backstay because it allows you to trim the shape of the main in certain wind conditions. I'm not sure whether a double has any advantages over a split. Terry
because of the walk through transom. I like the idea of an adjustable backstay because it allows you to trim the shape of the main in certain wind conditions. I'm not sure whether a double has any advantages over a split. Terry
Split Backstay w/ Adjuster
Like dj mentioned there are other ways to adjust the backstay. One of these is the split backstay with pincer type block. Advantage of this setup over the double backstay is it provides a good location for the radar reflector just above the point where the split is. In order to mount the Davis reflector in the rain-catch position one has to mount it with some U-bolts to the stay which requires drilling some holes in the reflector. Also, if the split stays are long enough, there is a good location to mount a man-overboard pole. If the split stay is too long the pincer adjuster might not like to go "up" (when loosening the backstay) by itself but no problem, a small block where the split stays meet with a line from the pincer block to the deck would fix that.
Like dj mentioned there are other ways to adjust the backstay. One of these is the split backstay with pincer type block. Advantage of this setup over the double backstay is it provides a good location for the radar reflector just above the point where the split is. In order to mount the Davis reflector in the rain-catch position one has to mount it with some U-bolts to the stay which requires drilling some holes in the reflector. Also, if the split stays are long enough, there is a good location to mount a man-overboard pole. If the split stay is too long the pincer adjuster might not like to go "up" (when loosening the backstay) by itself but no problem, a small block where the split stays meet with a line from the pincer block to the deck would fix that.
Check Brion Toss forum
I remember seeing a discussion by Brion Toss, a well-regarded rigger, on his rigging forum at www.briontoss.com He was very clearly against using double backstays, but I don't remember his reasoning. It made sense to me at the time, but it has been a while since I saw it. Check out his forum and go from there.
I remember seeing a discussion by Brion Toss, a well-regarded rigger, on his rigging forum at www.briontoss.com He was very clearly against using double backstays, but I don't remember his reasoning. It made sense to me at the time, but it has been a while since I saw it. Check out his forum and go from there.
Found the Toss linkl
Brett, great memory you have. It took some searching but I found the discussion. Toss says I am about to commit an evil act. I'll read further.... For anyone who is interested, I pasted the link here, and I gotta say the site has some great information on rigging!
Brett, great memory you have. It took some searching but I found the discussion. Toss says I am about to commit an evil act. I'll read further.... For anyone who is interested, I pasted the link here, and I gotta say the site has some great information on rigging!
Double back stays
I did double back stays on my H-33 before I ever heard of Brion Toss. I read his article on the subject well sfter the fact and there were some good points, but as my sole reason for the doubles was comfort it made little difference. I made it through one season with the original split system and managed to hit my head and shoulders on it constantly. By going to the doubles they are now positioned about as well as they possibly can be. In the near future I'll set up a tackle system to make it adjustable.
I did double back stays on my H-33 before I ever heard of Brion Toss. I read his article on the subject well sfter the fact and there were some good points, but as my sole reason for the doubles was comfort it made little difference. I made it through one season with the original split system and managed to hit my head and shoulders on it constantly. By going to the doubles they are now positioned about as well as they possibly can be. In the near future I'll set up a tackle system to make it adjustable.
How tall are you?
Hey Sam, how tall are you? I was all the way swayed to splits till you threw in your 2 cents! I put a kicker on it and tried to get to my slip, mast down, and tried to envision how high to put the split. Looks like I'll need the local machine shop to make the 'Y' and I was thinking of putting it pretty high above my head, and follow the bend in the jackplate. The unforseen stress point on jackplates and rigging that Toss talked about made pretty good sense. Guess I'm a little gun shy, I lost a 36 foot mast before - jackplate pulled out of a hull.
Hey Sam, how tall are you? I was all the way swayed to splits till you threw in your 2 cents! I put a kicker on it and tried to get to my slip, mast down, and tried to envision how high to put the split. Looks like I'll need the local machine shop to make the 'Y' and I was thinking of putting it pretty high above my head, and follow the bend in the jackplate. The unforseen stress point on jackplates and rigging that Toss talked about made pretty good sense. Guess I'm a little gun shy, I lost a 36 foot mast before - jackplate pulled out of a hull.
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