Runners on a Folkboat

[KenMcCulloch]

Among the documentation passed to me when I took over 'Border Maid' was a set of original 1948 drawings of rig and spars, dimensions for a wooden mast etc and sail sizes. The drawing shows running backstays going to a point level with the front of the cockpit. The original wooden spars were replaced with aluminium ones in the 1960s and the runners done away with (if indeed they were ever part of the rig).

I plan to replace the spars within the next 18 months (winter 08 probably) and wondered whether I should specify runners. Any advice, from those with experience of rig failure or otherwise?

 

[Peterduck]

One of the few advantages [in my opinion] of bermudan rig is that you can have a transom-mounted backstay instead of runners. If you have a transom backstay, you don't need runners.
Peter.

 

[KenMcCulloch]

[ QUOTE ]
One of the few advantages [in my opinion] of bermudan rig is that you can have a transom-mounted backstay instead of runners. If you have a transom backstay, you don't need runners.
Peter.

[/ QUOTE ]
Hi Peter
You certainly don't need runners on a masthead bermudan sloop but they are common on cutters and fractional rigged sloops (like the Folkboat). I don't want this thread to turn into a discussion about the pros and cons of bermudan rig however /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Niander]

Excuse my ignorance but What do you mean by runners?

 

[contessa26]

Experts much more experienced than me may tell you otherwise, but one of the beauties of the Folkboat when she turned up in 1942 was her simplicity - and simplicity of her rig. Most fractional rigs needed runners, even if they had a standing backstay. But all the Folkboats I've sailed didn't have runners, of course. Another fine wee vessel with a 'simple' fractional rig, and no runners was the lovely IOD. If I recall correctly...
(I'm standing by - and quite happy - to be corrected! Of course.)
Best wishes

 

[KenMcCulloch]

[ QUOTE ]
Experts much more experienced than me may tell you otherwise..........

[/ QUOTE ]
Thanks for that. Given that the mast has lasted 40 years or so I kind of thought that may be the case, even though Border Maid has had fairly gentle treatment most of that time so far as I can tell.

Niander, runners, running backstays or sometimes they are called shifting backstays lead from the back of a mast opposite the forestay on a fractional sloop or cutter (or a gaffer) to a point somewhere forr'd of the quarter. They have some arrangement like a purchase, a Highfield lever or a winch so that the windward backstay (runner) can be tensioned and the leeward moved forward to allow the boom to be eased. They make tacking and particulary gybing far more interesting as well as holding up the mast.

 

[Niander]

Ah ok
interested as i also have a Folkboat [needs lots of work and the mast isnt up!]

but yea no runners on it .

 

[2Tizwoz]

' They make tacking and particulary gybing far more interesting as well as holding up the mast. '

Far too 'interesting' /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif and should only be fitted if you cannot find something better to do with your time whilst changing direction.

 

[Ayeshaman]

I rigged several folkboats both in and out of class racing rules ie with and without spreaders over the years, but I never saw one with runners. The class rules had unspread caps and lowers with standing back and forestays. With a tiny little boom and mainsail why would you want them?

 

[KenMcCulloch]

[ QUOTE ]
[snip....] I never saw one with runners. The class rules had unspread caps and lowers with standing back and forestays. With a tiny little boom and mainsail why would you want them?

[/ QUOTE ] Well why indeed? I don't specially want runners, but they are clearly shown on these rig drawings that came with the boat and I merely sought to deepen my understanding of what might be desirable, necessary or worthwhile. Thanks for the helpful contribution(s).

 

[Niander]

Mine dosent appear to be a tiny little boom!