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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Adding Adjustable Backstay

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albert
Captain

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USA
262 Posts

Initially Posted - 12/10/2002 : 12:57:45

Any ideas on how I could add an adjustable backstay to my single wire unajustable rig without having to change the backstay itself?

My first thought is to cut the backstay with a hacksaw then attach a swageless fitting to the cut part. From there attach to some sort of backstay adjuster.

Suggestions....?

Albert Iturrey
al@comhertz.com
Abacus': http://www.comhertz.com/abacus

Edited by - on

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 12/10/2002 : 16:38:19

Albert,

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>... attach a swageless fitting to the cut part. From there attach to some sort of backstay adjuster.<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>I think you're on the right track. I suggest you study the factory optional adjustable split backstay in the Catalina 25 manuals. I've seen and used several types of backstay adjusters on various size boats. I like the Catalina setup for boats our size and somewhat larger.

When I replaced my standing rigging, I converted from a single backstay to an adjustable split backstay. (My hull came equipped with dual backstay chainplates from the factory.) I used Staloks on the long upper part, but had Brion Toss Rigging make up the two short lower legs with swaged ends. For the triangle junction plate, I used two of the old style C-25 lower shroud mast tangs.

For the sliding tensioner, I used a 5-wheel backstay tensioner car I had laying around the shop. Otherwise, I'd cobble together a 3-block slider using two Harken high-load wire blocks and a small ball bearing line block. With the stock length lower legs, you don't need very much purchase on the tensioner squeezer to develop some serious fore and aft stay tension, and mast compression. Just the 2:1 provided by a 3-block rig might be all you need. I started with 6:1 because that's what I had laying around, and it's way, way overkill.

Let me know if you need more details.

-- Leon Sisson

Edited by - on

n/a
deleted

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163 Posts

Response Posted - 12/11/2002 : 09:34:10

Another alternative is to make, or have made, a new, single backstay incorporating a hydraulic stay adjuster.

Edited by - on

MattL
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 12/12/2002 : 01:41:19

Would a singel backstay with a multi purchase work OK to?

Matt/Brigitte Loeffler
E.C. Rider
Cat 25 86'
FK/SR _/)

Edited by - on

osmepneo
Past Commodore

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USA
1420 Posts

Response Posted - 12/12/2002 : 07:36:35

Matt,

There are devises that will allow one to adjust a single backstay fairly easily, but I don't think as easily as adjusting a split backstay ending in a block and tackle rig. All I have to do to adjust osmepneo's back stay is reach behind me, grab the line and eaither cast it off some, or tension it some more. Quick and easy!

In my opinion it is the way to go if you anticipate adjusting the back sail, and effecting the main sail while you are underway.

Don Peet
c25, 1665, osmepneo, sr/wk
The Great Sacandaga Lake, NY

Edited by - on

Bryan Beamer
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1038 Posts

Response Posted - 12/12/2002 : 09:50:22

Just a thought

On the c25 isn't the single backstay hooked to the chainplate on either the port or starbard side of the stern not in the middle?

Wouldn't putting a back stay adjuster on a single backstay pull the mast back at and angle then the mast wouldn't be straight,or would it curve the top of the mast to that side?

If that is the case a single backstay adjuster would not be efficient.

Bryan Beamer
Daylight Again
C250wk #495

Edited by - on

osmepneo
Past Commodore

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USA
1420 Posts

Response Posted - 12/12/2002 : 11:50:12

Bryan,

You're right the single backstay is off center and would certainly effect sailing performance differently than if it were centered. When I had a 22 I didn't care for that design compromise, and much prefer the split backstay, which, as you pointed out draws the mast backwards (only) when tensioned.

Good comment. I wonder what effect the off center single back stay has?

Don Peet
c25, 1665, osmepneo, sr/wk
The Great Sacandaga Lake, NY

Edited by - on

RichardG
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 12/12/2002 : 13:51:48

The technical tips section has some suggestions with pics:

http://c25c250.best.vwh.net/restricted/tt002.html – for additional chainplate install (which centers the backstay).

http://c25c250.best.vwh.net/restricted/tech25.html -- scroll down to Reina II for Backstay Adjuster turning block install.

RichardG 81 C25 SR/FK "Sanity"

Edited by - on

albert
Captain

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USA
262 Posts

Response Posted - 12/13/2002 : 05:46:24

Reina II's looks pretty easy to do. I've already got the double tangs. The downside to Reina's setup is that the stay appears to "stay" in the way of the ladder and outboard.
<img src="http://c25c250.best.vwh.net/restricted/reinabks.jpg" border=0>

The original factory setup appears to pull the double stays in towards the center, thereby clearing space to use the ladder and motor.

<img src="http://c25c250.best.vwh.net/restricted/pc18.gif" border=0>

For anyone who has the original C25 adjustable double backstay, does the adjuster actually pull the stays inward and out of the way of the motor and ladder?

Albert Iturrey
al@comhertz.com
Abacus': http://www.comhertz.com/abacus

Edited by - albert on 12/13/2002 05:48:38

Edited by - albert on 12/13/2002 05:50:42

Edited by - on

John Mason
Admiral

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USA
687 Posts

Response Posted - 12/13/2002 : 15:30:09

The adjuster and yoke are inside the two verticals of the stern pulpit, I get to the motor outside of that vertical so the original adjustable backstay set-up has never been in the way. I don't have the stern mounted ladder, so can't speak to that part of the subject.

John Mason - Ali Paroosa
1982 - FK/SR #3290

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 12/13/2002 : 16:16:08

"For anyone who has the original C25 adjustable double backstay, does the adjuster actually pull the stays inward and out of the way of the motor and ladder?" - Albert

Relaxed or tensioned, the adjustable double backstay is not in the way of neither the ladder nor the motor. As you can see from this pic, the backstay is well inboard of the ladder and the motor has about the same relationship as the ladder.

<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d904b3127cce9f7cda3c9f470000001410" border=0>

Don Lucier, 'North Star'
C25 SR/FK
On the hard, 200ft from Lake Erie

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 12/13/2002 : 16:40:25

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Relaxed or tensioned,
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d904b3127cce9f7cda3c9f470000001410" border=0>
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

The one eating from the bowl looks relaxed, the one at the tiller - welllll - I'm not quite sure.

Edited by - on

osmepneo
Past Commodore

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USA
1420 Posts

Response Posted - 12/13/2002 : 18:53:26

Y'awl

As I've looked at the pictures of adjustable backstays, I seen that the ones presented are different than the one po installed on osmepneo. He added two chanplates on the outside of the transom. Perhaps this picture will give you an idea:

<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2cc32b3127cce92e847273c0e0000001410" border=0>

This is a picture of my friend George, (we went to seminary together)and I'm at the helm behind him. The port side set-up for osmepneo's adjustable back is the seen behind my arm. The red and white line is the control line for the adjustable backstay.

<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2cc32b3127cce92e846d17c600000001410" border=0>

That's me, with the control line behind me.

I'm wondering about the advantages/disadvantages of the set-up on osmepneo, vs the advantages/disavantages of the narrower set-up shown in the other pictures.

Whew! finally got the pictures to work with the message! <img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle>

One disadvantage is that the control line is right in the way of the o/b, which doesn't start very well to start with.

Don Peet
c25, 1665, osmepneo, sr/wk
The Great Sacandaga Lake, NY

Edited by - osmepneo on 12/13/2002 18:55:49

Edited by - osmepneo on 12/13/2002 18:59:38

Edited by - osmepneo on 12/13/2002 19:02:48

Edited by - osmepneo on 12/13/2002 19:05:14

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 12/13/2002 : 19:05:34

"The one eating from the bowl looks relaxed, the one at the tiller - welllll - I'm not quite sure." - Steve

Yeah, that's the way it appears, but if we were heeling a little bit more, the roles would definitely be reversed!

Don Lucier, 'North Star'
C25 SR/FK
On the hard, 200ft from Lake Erie

Edited by - dlucier on 12/13/2002 19:07:59

Edited by - on

osmepneo
Past Commodore

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USA
1420 Posts

Response Posted - 12/13/2002 : 19:07:14

Albert, I suspect your single wire, off center backstay is adjustable. If it has a turnbuckle, I suspect it does, then you adjust backstay tension with the turnbuckle.

Don Peet
c25, 1665, osmepneo, sr/wk
The Great Sacandaga Lake, NY

Edited by - osmepneo on 12/13/2002 19:08:16

Edited by - on

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