[Rhodes22-list] Backstay Tensioner

[David Walker]

The classic reason for adjusting backstay tension while sailing is to adjust 
the position and shape of the mainsail draft on a fractionally rigged boat. 
Tightening the back stay bends the mast into a slightly convex shape (top of 
mast aft, point where forestay attaches forward).  With a properly cut main 
this flattens the sail and reduces its drag significantly for upwind 
sailing.

That being said, the R22 is a mast head rig and if you have IMF you do not 
want to bend the mast.  On the R22 the backstay should be tightened to get 
sufficient tension in the jib luff, but overtightening will bend the mast 
against the lower stays and the larger mast extrusion for the IMF might 
permantly deform and totally screw up main furling.  Any way the flat cut 
IMF main is not going to respond to mast bending.

At the most, one might tighten the backstay to tension the jib luff at the 
start of a sail and loosen it a little at the end of the day but this is 
probably not neccessary.

If you have a conventional main with the proper cut (like I think Roger P 
has) adusting backstay tension to bend the mast makes sense.

David Walker,  SV Windswept

www.davidwalkerphotography.com

Event Specialists

781-639-2707 Office
781-718-8690 Cell
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Leland" <LKUHN at cnmc.org>
To: <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 8:22 AM
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Backstay Tensioner


>
> Rick,
>
> Not that I need something else to adjust on my boat, but when do you 
> adjust
> it?  Is it something as simple as tight for upwind and loose for downwind 
> or
> are there a million options depending on the conditions?
>
> Lee
>
>
>
> Rick-139 wrote:
>>
>> This is a gizmo from Harken that works well.  It has two sheaves in a
>> frame
>> with a built in jam cleat.  The outer sheave is only used to fasten one
>> end
>> of the hauling line.  The inner sheave replaces one of the stock turning
>> blocks which can be seen still attached to the stay.  Instead of having 
>> to
>> run the line down to a horn cleat on the transom that is awkward to 
>> reach,
>> my first mate can now easily change the stay tension.
>>
>> Rick
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