Relax
Member
I have a cutter rigged Dockrell 37 - which has no running backstays. The rig is masthead with in-line spreaders and fore and aft lowers. The cutter stay comes in to the mast between the spreaders and the masthead.
The question is - do I need running backstays?
On the one hand you could say that the thing (the mast) has stayed up since 1986 (and I have just replaced all the staanding rigging) with no obvious sign of stress - but on the other hand I have no idea what if any blows the boat has been through. The most wind I have seen over the deck is 35-40 knots - if I need to sail in say 40+ knots with only the staysail and double reefed main will the mast fall down after a few hours?
(I do have a photo - but as a technoprole can't seem to get it to appear here)
The question is - do I need running backstays?
On the one hand you could say that the thing (the mast) has stayed up since 1986 (and I have just replaced all the staanding rigging) with no obvious sign of stress - but on the other hand I have no idea what if any blows the boat has been through. The most wind I have seen over the deck is 35-40 knots - if I need to sail in say 40+ knots with only the staysail and double reefed main will the mast fall down after a few hours?
(I do have a photo - but as a technoprole can't seem to get it to appear here)