Modifying my backstay

[Giblets]

I agree if you have 3mm then this is fine for a 17' boat, if you do decide to change to 4mm check the pin sizes on the rigging screws, standard pin on 4mm is 7.9 although you can get them with a pin of 6.4 which is standard on the 3mm rigging screws. Some chain plates only have a hole in which is big enough for the pin.

Thanks for the info. Will bear it in mind.

 

[VicS]

do you have Dracon sails, these were cutting edge in the 50s

I don't know! It does not say on them.
Dacron is Duponts name for polyethylene terephthalate, aka polyester. I guess they are polyester of some brand or another although they date from the 1970's not the 1950s.

If my sails happen to be Dacron, how does that affect the UV resistance of Dyneema.

 

[sailorman]

I don't know! It does not say on them.
Dacron is Duponts name for polyethylene terephthalate, aka polyester. I guess they are polyester of some brand or another although they date from the 1970's not the 1950s.

If my sails happen to be Dacron, how does that affect the UV resistance of Dyneema.

like may innovations Vic,the sails were race led as are new rope materials

 

[VicS]

like may innovations Vic,the sails were race led as are new rope materials

So its not resistant to UV then. A distinct disadvantage when it comes to standing rigging on an AWB.

 

[sailorman]

So its not resistant to UV then. A distinct disadvantage when it comes to standing rigging on an AWB.

the OP does not have an AWB she is a MAB

 

[lw395]

quote: UV resistant – Products made with Dyneema® fiber show strong resistance to photo degradation when exposed to UV light. The high UV resistance of the fiber ensures continuing high performance.

If you are putting an adjustable tail on a 3mm backstay, you could use 4 or 5mm dyneema and it would still run around a block better than SS, and probably last longer. Being fairlycheap and DIY spliceable, you could change it every few years if you felt the need. A dyneema core rope with a polyester overbraid might be better still, as a backstay tail might get a bit of abrasion from people holding on to it etc. Equally, flexible stainless would be fine but eventually suffers on the block, so might only last a few years.

 

[Giblets]

the OP does not have an AWB she is a MAB

 

[sailorman]

average white boat
manky auld boat