Adjustable back stay

[Gotro]

Replacing the back stay on my boat . Have decided to rig a 4 to 1 purchase with 1/4 in line at the single factory attachment point starboard for now and will post photos later.

[Russ]

Please do post your mod.

BTW...there are a few backstay mods in the mods section.

https://macgregorsailors.com/mods/index ... n=backstay

[Gotro]

Here’s my finished and best effort for the backstay. Notice I tied off the working end to the mast support for safety.

[Be Free]

Here's a 3-to-1 variation.

[DaveC426913]

As far as I was aware, the back stay on an X is virtually perfunctory. It comes into play under heavy winds, sure but overwise, shouldn't it effectively be slack?

My backstay is loose, and I believe I still have sufficient mast bend.

What do you know that I don't?

[Highlander]

I would bridle into the center for a more positive pull on the mast

I done that mod yrs ago on


If u look closely u can see the end turning block on the traveler that its mounted to on my Radar Arch on the above pic

The pic below u can see the Traveler better



the reason it,s mounted on a traveler is as the mast rotates the backstay can b adjusted from port to starboard or reverse so as to always have a straight pull on the mast
Having an adjustable backstay improves ur upwind sailing & remember when easing the tension off that backstay do so very slowly
J

[Highlander]

As far as I was aware, the back stay on an X is virtually perfunctory. It comes into play under heavy winds, sure but overwise, shouldn't it effectively be slack?

My backstay is loose, and I believe I still have sufficient mast bend.

What do you know that I don't?

Well this for starters I would say
https://www.jollyparrot.co.uk/blog/when ... t-achieves
No pun intended
I hear u guys r having a heat wave in TO this wk-end enjoy
J

[Be Free]

As far as I was aware, the back stay on an X is virtually perfunctory. It comes into play under heavy winds, sure but overwise, shouldn't it effectively be slack?

My backstay is loose, and I believe I still have sufficient mast bend.

What do you know that I don't?

I know that I tighten my backstay when I'm running and loosen it when I'm not. I also know that it is much easier to attach the forestay when the backstay has been loosened.

[dlandersson]

Ditto. Also a nice place to attach nautical banners.

As far as I was aware, the back stay on an X is virtually perfunctory. It comes into play under heavy winds, sure but overwise, shouldn't it effectively be slack?

My backstay is loose, and I believe I still have sufficient mast bend.

What do you know that I don't?

I know that I tighten my backstay when I'm running and loosen it when I'm not. I also know that it is much easier to attach the forestay when the backstay has been loosened.

[DaveC426913]

I know that I tighten my backstay when I'm running and loosen it when I'm not.

Is this a performance boost thing, or just a safety thing? If the former, is there any evidence that it makes for a significant improvement?

I also know that it is much easier to attach the forestay when the backstay has been loosened.

Backstay is the last thing I attach. But I only raise the stick once a year. I guess if you raise and lower it regular-like, you are more likely to have the backstay attached when raising.

I have cried this far and wide, to anyone who will listen, and a few who won't, that attaching the forestay is far and away the most physically-taxing, blood-vessel-popping, frustrating task on my X.

I am determined this year to finally build a system that closes the gap between the stay and the foredeck chain plate long enough to stick that infernal pin in.

[Russ]

Ditto. Also a nice place to attach nautical banners.

YES!

[dlandersson]

Ditto. The entire time we (at least one other person and I) are raising the mast and pinning the forestay, I keep reminding myself that the Macgregor ads talk about "raising the mast can be done by one person".

I have cried this far and wide, to anyone who will listen, and a few who won't, that attaching the forestay is far and away the most physically-taxing, blood-vessel-popping, frustrating task on my X.

I am determined this year to finally build a system that closes the gap between the stay and the foredeck chain plate long enough to stick that infernal pin in.

[Be Free]

Ditto. The entire time we (at least one other person and I) are raising the mast and pinning the forestay, I keep reminding myself that the Macgregor ads talk about "raising the mast can be done by one person".

I have cried this far and wide, to anyone who will listen, and a few who won't, that attaching the forestay is far and away the most physically-taxing, blood-vessel-popping, frustrating task on my X.

I am determined this year to finally build a system that closes the gap between the stay and the foredeck chain plate long enough to stick that infernal pin in.

Using the mast raising system on the "X" and a loose backstay I've had no problem at all attaching the forestay. Crank down on the MRS just a little more than needed to get the masts vertical and the forestay pin slips right in. The only time I've struggled is when I've forgotten to loosen the adjustable backstay.

[Be Free]

I know that I tighten my backstay when I'm running and loosen it when I'm not.

Is this a performance boost thing, or just a safety thing? If the former, is there any evidence that it makes for a significant improvement?

I'm not a racer. Been there. Done that. Burned the t-shirt.

That said, it is supposed to improve the sail shape so I do it when I remember. I'm more interested in having it tight when I'm running so I guess for me it's more of a safety thing.

[Highlander]

Yes it can b very trying at times I use my old mainsheet vang to adjust my adjustable backstay so it,s an easy proposition but my 3 sets of shrouds r guitar string tight so I stll have to really crank down on my MRS so as to b able to pin my two hard furlers Jib furler on the bow & Genny furler 3ft out on the bowsprit "cutter rig" , so I,m now thinking "debating" whether to remove the Genny & hard furler & replace it with Code Zero soft furler & a 280sq ft light air Drifter which then can b installed & raised & lowered after the mast has been raised

J