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 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
 Catalina 25 Specific Forum
 Backstay tension		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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Bruce Baker
Captain

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USA
402 Posts
Initially Posted - 03/24/2003 :  07:56:10  Show Profile
Anybody else got one of those el-cheapo standard backstays? Any idea what it should be tensioned? All the info I've seen on rig tension mentions shroud tensions but nothing on forestay / backstay tension. I presume that no self-respecting racer would put up with this el-cheap rig, but hey, one project at a time.

Cheers,
Bruce Baker
"Yee Ha!"
Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5932 Posts
Response Posted - 03/24/2003 :  11:37:04  Show Profile
I have sailed C-25s with the standard backstay and with the adjustable backstay.

The backstay adjuster enables you to apply tension to the adjuster and flatten the sails for pointing to windward. When you turn and sail off the wind you can release the backstay adjuster and give the sails a more full shape, for more power. (When you release the backstay adjuster, it puts slack in both the headstay and the backstay.) If you don't have the backstay adjuster, then your stays should be adjusted so that the boat will sail well to windward. Off the wind, the boat will not be quite as fast, but the difference is not great.

If you have the standard backstay, then the tension on the headstay and backstay should be adjusted so that there is very little slack in them. (But don't tighten them so much that you turn your boat into a banana boat.) That adjustment will enable your boat to point well to windward, and it will make good speed when sailing off the wind. (The slight offset of the point where the backstay is attached to the transom doesn't have a noticeable effect on the boat's sailing qualities.)

If you have the adjustable backstay, then you should first apply tension to the backstay adjuster. Next, adjust the tension on the headstay and backstay in the same way described above for the standard backstay. That will let her point well to windward. When you ease the backstay adjuster, the headstay and backstay will go slack, making the shape of the sails more full for sailing off the wind.

Although my boat has a backstay adjuster, I didn't know how to set it up for years, so I adjusted the rig as if the backstay was not adjustable. Nevertheless, I had good racing results, so I didn't worry about it. A backstay adjuster can help you, but you sure don't need it to be competitive.

Steve Milby "Captiva Wind" C-25 T/FK #2554
Edited by - on
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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.