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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Backstay Question

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existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/27/2005 : 22:07:04

I need to replace a lot of the hardware and rigging on my backstay. Does my standing rigging provide the majority of support for my mast? Last thing I want to do is start to remove the backstay rigging only to watch my mast come down.

Thanks for the help.

Rick

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 04/27/2005 : 22:13:11

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by existentialsailor
 I need to replace a lot of the hardware and rigging on my backstay. Does my standing rigging provide the majority of support for my mast?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Does your standing rigging provide the majority of support for your mast?...The standing rigging provides ALL the support for your mast!

Generally, you can disconnect the backstay without worry because the aft lower shrouds will hold up the mast, but for peace of mind, you can always secure a halyard to an aft cleat.

Edited by - dlucier on 04/27/2005 22:15:39

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2005 : 08:32:01

Remind us of the rig configuration for a Capri 25. Does it have dual lowers? Swept back spreaders? In line shrouds? If a or b you can disconnect the back stay at the slip and it is no big deal, if c then it fall down go boom. Many people run the main halyard to the stern rail when disconecting the backstay just because it freaks them out so bad. We launch with a crane at my club and all backstays must be disconected from the transom to do that. I drive from the rigging area to the crane with the back stay off and am not concerned. Have a look at the Capri 22 backstays adjusters, (and most new Catalina 22s)it is the way to go. The backstay stops where a traditional split backstay begins but there is no split that runs on down to the transom. The adjuster becomes the split and is the only connection between the short backstay and the transom. Very clean and simple. For the paranoid a person can have a single saftey wire backing up the adjuster.

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existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2005 : 19:48:33

Thanks Don, I just had this sense that the forestay with the furler might pull the mast forward.

Frank, I believe it has dual lowers, there is a total of six lines to the standing rigging, 3 to a side, one set going through the spreader to the top of the mast. It does not have swept back spreaders. I do not know what in line shrouds are. Interesting that you mention the Catalina 22 as I was looking at one last weekend to get some ideas for mine. Nice set up. I wonder though if it will have adequate purchase. The mast on my Capri appears to have a larger circumference and is taller. I believe this would translate ito needing more effort to bend it back when needed.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2005 : 22:05:28

Rick,

Even though it appears that you have aft lower shrouds, it only takes a minute to tie off a halyard aft for cheap peace of mind when disconecting the backstay.

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2005 : 22:36:14

In line shrouds have a single lower in line with the upper. My Spirit 23 and the ODay 25 and many other boats are rigged that way.

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5913 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2005 : 12:53:33

I also suggest you use a halyard as a temporary backstay while you disconnect the backstay. Theoretically the forward and aft lowers should hold it up, but that assumes your rig is tuned correctly and as if the boat has no adjustable backstay. I've seen a lot of boats with very loose rigs. If any of the shrouds are very loose, as they might be if they're tuned for racing with an adjustable backstay, they won't hold the mast up.

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existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2005 : 18:18:26

Thanks Steve,
Halyard will be a definite. Rigging is not tuned due to the requirement to remove some so the forks of the boat lift can haul the boat out of the water. Retuning will be done when she is splashed, but I hope to do the work on the backstay prior to that.

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