[Rhodes22-list] First time

[ROGER PIHLAJA]

Hi Wilson,

It helps to make a checklist and follow it.  Do you have the GBI mast stepping system?  I am not strong enough to step/unstep the mast without this mechanical aid.  Stepping/unstopping the mast is faster if you have some helpers.  You save the rigging/unrigging time to setup the GBI mast stepping system.  But, if you are alone, the GBI mast stepping system makes it a safe, foolproof operation.

The attached picture shows the OEM standard cleat for the backstay adjuster.  This cleat is located on the transom in the starboard aft corner.  Also shown in the picture is my improved “Go Faster” backstay adjuster.  The backstay tension is the primary way to adjust forestay sag.  Forestay sag affects genoa sailshape.  You want to be able to adjust it quickly and reproducibly.  Here are the components of my backstay adjuster:


  1.  Harken 146  Single Big Bullet Block With Shackle
  2.  Harken 144 Swivel Base With 150 Cam-Matic Cam Cleat & Stand-Up Spring
  3.  10-24UNC X 1-1/2 Inch 18/8 Stainless Steel Flat Head Phillips Machine Screws, Fenders Washers, & Nylock Nuts – 4 Reqd

Instead of cleating the backstay adjuster off on the OEM standard horned cleat on the transom, rig it thru the Harken block and cam cleat.  Now, using a black magic marker, mark off every 6 inches on the backstay control line starting from when the backstay adjuster just starts to take up the slack in the forestay.  Now, you can reproducibly adjust the tension in the backstay with just a flick of the wrist and  a pull on the control line to the appropriate mark.  Note, the required backstay tension to eliminate forestay sag in heavy air is quite high.  I don’t like to leave the backstay tension that high when I leave the boat (think banana boat!).  So, I slack off the backstay adjuster when I’m not actually sailing.  Note, the Harken swivel base enables the helmsman to reach and adjust the backstay tension from any position in the cockpit.

This discussion actually belongs in the “Go Faster” &/or “Furling Headsail Replacement” threads because it is another go faster upgrade associated with the genoa.

Roger Pihlaja
S/V Dynamic Equilibrium

[cid:image002.jpg at 01D7C414.553B7930]

Sent from Mail<https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986> for Windows

From: Wilson Cook via Rhodes22-list<mailto:rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Sent: Monday, October 18, 2021 7:57 AM
To: rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org<mailto:rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Subject: [Rhodes22-list] First time

So I erected my mast for the first time yesterday. I hope there is a short learning curve. Took a while but I was single handed  Biggest challenge was the headstay. Took everything I had after shortening chains twice. Once it was finally up and I was tensioning backstays something “popped” at the masthead and then forestay was looser.

Related question- there is a block and tackle across the backstays but there is no cleat?

Sent from my iPhone

-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: 919EB46A00C54B95B151B34D35E652BB.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 192766 bytes
Desc: 919EB46A00C54B95B151B34D35E652BB.jpg
URL: <http://rhodes22.org/pipermail/rhodes22-list/attachments/20211018/7f5499a9/attachment.jpg>