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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

backstay question

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markolito
1st Mate

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Italy
95 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/05/2003 : 14:32:03

I have a question about the configuration of the backstay on my 1980 sk/sr.

this is the setup i have:
<img src="http://www.kaotica.com/marco/boat/reef/4-1-9.gif" border=0>

I have a boom lift rope which is not included in this diagram.

What makes no sense to me, is why you would have that "pigtail" and an "boom lift" which serves the same purpose: to
keep to boom from falling on the cabin when the sail is folded

is this backstay configuration ok? I would like to install an ajustable backstay, but how urgent is it?

<img src="http://www.response-marketing.com/beta/plaa.jpg" border=0>
1980 SR/SK "Wet Pretzel"

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 02/05/2003 : 14:49:30

I have both a topping lift and the pigtail aboard North Star. Yes, they will both prevent the boom from falling in the cockpit, but I use the pigtail(it's alread there) to keep the boom's side-to-side movement to a minimum while in port. As to why you have both, I'm not certain, but I suspect that the pigtail was standard equipment and the adjustable topping lift was optional, as was the adjustable backstay.

As for your question about the adjustable backstay, you can put it on your "nice to have" list, but I wouldn't bother making it a priority, unless you are getting the boat ready to race. Your boat has sailed fine for 22 years without one, so how urgent can it be?

Don Lucier, 'North Star'
C25 SR/FK
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2cc32b3127cce92e981259d130000001010" border=0>
Cradled on the hard, 200ft from Lake Erie

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 02/05/2003 : 15:43:45

I agree with Don, an adjustable is nice to have, but isn't a necessity. You'll find that your not going to get much rake out of your mast anyway, (I think mainly because its cabintop mounted, but not sure on all the physics of the matter)

The previous owner more than likely installed the topping lift, I don't think it was an original piece of equipment, or a standard option. Leaving the swedged pigtail in place was probably done for a few reasons, the first being Don's comment about restricting athwartship movement. Second, once you swedge something, its mighty difficult to remove it without putting undo stress on the cable.

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Brooke Willson
Admiral

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USA
983 Posts

Response Posted - 02/05/2003 : 20:12:05

You may also find the pigtail useful if you use one of the methods to lower the mast forward, using the boom aas a gin pole and the mainsheet for control. Hooking the boom to the pigtail provides a stronger connection than does the topping lift.

Brooke

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 02/05/2003 : 22:14:26

The adustable backstay primarily allows you to change from a sagging forestay downwind to a taught forestay upwind. It can theoretically also bend the mast, flattening the main in heavier air upwind, but I doubt the C-25 mast bends that much--it's a heavy extrusion and the masthead forestay limits bending. (That's why most racers are fractional rigs.)

If you're going to race, you'll want the adjustable rig--otherwise, it's nice not to have the backstay on both sides of the cockpit.

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT

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jheard
1st Mate

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USA
49 Posts

Response Posted - 02/12/2003 : 18:29:29

A topping lift can be used to keep the boom aloft while in port, but it's main use is to trim the mainsail in light wind. In light wind the weight of the boom will flatten the mainsail. You raise the boom with the topping lift to increase the draft of the sale in light wind to give you more power, especially downwind. Lowering the topping in light wind upwind will flatten the sail allowing you to point higher. When the wind gets up enough to lift the weight of the boom, you can keep your sail flat using the boom vang.

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5909 Posts

Response Posted - 02/12/2003 : 19:11:32

Dave,

I agree that the thickness of the C-25 mast makes it a little less bendy, but the headstay doesn't prevent the mast from bending.

I didn't figure out how to bend a C-25 mast until I started chatting with you guys, and especially Derek. When you put tension on the adjustable backstay, it pulls downward on the top of the mast. The mast step resists that downward pressure. When you want to bend the mast by using a backstay adjuster, you have to adjust the aft lowers very loosely. Since the mast can't move downwards when pressure is applied, the middle part of the mast can only bow forward. In other words, you are not bending the mast back at the top. You are bowing it forward in the middle. Imagine if you stood a flexible fiberglass fishing pole on the floor, and then pressed down on the tip of it with your hand. The middle part of the pole would bow out. Those naval architects are pretty clever guys, huh?

Steve Milby "Captiva Wind" C-25 T/FK #2554

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eric.werkowitz
Captain

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USA
283 Posts

Response Posted - 02/12/2003 : 19:19:55

The topping lift also allows the boom to swing free when you are raisng the main sail. If you are trying to do that single handed without the help of an auto pilot, the boat often starts to turn away from weather. If the boom is on the pigtail, the boat quickly starts to sail! The pressure on the sail keeps you from raising it all the way. With the topping lift the boom can swing keeping the sail from filling.

I think it's useful having both.

Eric Werkowitz
C25 #4969

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 02/12/2003 : 21:23:04

What I don't get is that my pigtail is about 8" too long! I have to wrap it around the boom and clip it to itself. It's like they measured it for a tall rig boom.

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.