Was the backstay chain plate made stronger on later boats

[davidmhull]

I am getting ready to haul my O'day 22 for the winter and would like to make a modification to the main sheets. I can see now why they changed the design to attach the main sheet to the back stay. I'm getting tired of having the sheets in my face all the time. My question is will the backstay chain plate on the early models handle the added strain of the sheets or did they make that stronger? Is there another way to move the main sheets aft that anyone has tried? I even considered a raised traveler to clear the tiller but not sure how that would work out. Thanks.

 

[Pat]

There is only one 'mainsheet' but I cannot give great advice on whether O'Day beefed it up the chainplate to provide for this....I would look at the Catalina 22's....On our Catalina, the traveler and then of course the mainsheet were all at the stern of the boat...If I recall correctly, the stern is the ideal area for the traveler, and so to the mainsheet tackle....others on this forum may know more than me. good luck, Patrick

 

[Indysailor]

If you're worried about it you could order a larger chainplate, just to be on the safe side. The mainsheet setup on the back stay has been much maligned here; it's awkward to set the cleat, for instance. But it does keep it out of the way.

 

[25yearslater]

My 1978 Oday 22 had a pretty chintzy chainplate. The thing was adequate for most applications but was a bit light for heavier air and large sails. The triangle plate incorporated into the backstay would tighten the backstay and result in tightening the forestay while on a close reach at the same time. Unless you are figuring on challenging hurricanes or something like that it should be more than sufficient.

 

[woodster]

Mine is 3/8 of an inch thick on the stem and stern and 1/4 of an inch thick on the port and starboard side and the side ones are about 1/2 inch wider than the stem and stern from the factory

 

[davidmhull]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I too have heard some discouraging remarks about the backstay triangle. Has anyone seen or heard of a modification like a bridle that rides over the tiller? I would think something could be installed on the transom with chainplates that would at least get the sheets out of your face. A sheave riding on the cable would also act something like a traveler.

 

[ami342]

On my 78 Oday 22, I put another stern chainplate 9" from the original one (tiller works fine between the short bridal to the triangle) Aft stay connects now , in the center of the boat. Modified the triangle with a welded loop to attach the mainsheet. I made a large triangular stainless plate that joins the 2 chainplates to the 4 bolts of the top rudder gudgeon. Hurricane proof!

 

[davidmhull]

Do you have any pictures of your arrangement ami342? I'm having a hard time visualizing it. Thanks.

 

[LANCE ON CLOUD NINE]

some of the early O'Day 23's used an inverted bridle at the rear. It worked pretty well. I will try and find a pic.