Running backstays

[flykeith]

I am trying to figure how the runners on my cutter were set up. There are fixed wire stays from the mast ending in a fork, which I assume are then connected to wire strops which pass through a turning block on the deck, then aft to a flat (horizontal) deck block and then the Highfield lever. My problem is the wire strops I have are too long (even with the lever adjusted to its tightest position). I am only talking about a few inches too long, but I'm sure they should put some tension against the inner forestay. I assume (hope!) I don't have to add more wire and blocks to increase purchase.

Boat is Robert Clark 44'

Any thoughts?

 

[Kukri]

Robert Clark was good with these.

Could there have been a wire rope block on the pendant (the fixed wire) and could the fall (the flexible wire) have started at a deck hook, gone up and through the block on the pendant and then down to the deck block?

That's the system I have - the idea is that throwing the lever off gives you enough slack to go to windward or close reach and then unhooking the pendant allows you to square the boom right off, whilst giving you a 2:1 purchase.

 

[ebbtide]

That sounds like the rig I started cruising with on MAICA, an Illingworth & Primrose 1963 Fastnet winner.
And yes, the measurements leading to Highfield levers have to be exactly right to be any use (and save your mast) so there is no scope for adjustment.

Strangely my last was a half-tonner where the runners went to massive 3-speed winches that really could make a difference, so obviously rig technology has moved on somewhat!

 

[KenMcCulloch]

[ QUOTE ]
Robert Clark was good with these.

Could there have been a wire rope block on the pendant (the fixed wire) and could the fall (the flexible wire) have started at a deck hook, gone up and through the block on the pendant and then down to the deck block?

That's the system I have - the idea is that throwing the lever off gives you enough slack to go to windward or close reach and then unhooking the pendant allows you to square the boom right off, whilst giving you a 2:1 purchase.

[/ QUOTE ]
I used to sail a RC cutter-headed ketch and that's more or less the arrangement she had except rope instead of wire, tackles instead of levers. We also had tricing lines to pull the lee runner right to the shrouds but that was a later addition, not original.

 

[pyrojames]

That's the set up I have as well.

 

[pyrojames]

Have you had a look at Cereste just along the pontoon. How is she set up?

 

[dur]

Fancy posting a picture? I would be interested to see this too.

 

[Kukri]

Difficult to photgraph a long thin thing like wire, blocks and levers! I don't know if you can make anything out here?

Otherwise I'll do a drawing and scan it tonight.

 

[dur]

Thanks for doing that. I can't see much but its good to see a picture of Mirelle. I guess it is the detail I am thinking of. I just found a couple of drawings in the Gaff Rig Handbook, one of which I take to be the system you have and one of which uses a snatch block aft so the wire can be lifted clear to run free.

With your system, which part is unhooked to run free? Can you do the unhooking from the cockpit?

 

[Kukri]

I will draw a picture and scan and post it as soon as I feel up to it, honest! (suffering "fitting-out-itis")

The forward leg can be unhooked and yes, it can be done from the cockpit, but the way I have them arranged a crew member needs to go forward and trice the backstay up to the shrouds to stop it flopping about . It follows that someone needs to do the same in reverse to set it up. People have used tricing systems that can be worked from the colckpit but that's too much spaghetti for me!

(Note that this system like all Highfield lever systems has the disadvantage that of the boat gybes accidentally the now-lee runner can be pinned by the weight of wind in the mainsail making it impossible to throw the lever off and in this case impossible to release the hook, as its under load, unless you used one of those very fancy release on load snap shackles that offshore racers use for spinnaker peels. )

 

[flykeith]

Thanks for the comments, I will have a look around SYH for highfield levers, changing over to all rope is not in the budget at the moment, I'm trying to get by with what I've got.

 

[Kukri]

Just to clarify - I am in favour of Highfield levers - I just thought that, in the interest of balance, I should state what some see as their disadvantage.

To me this is greatly outweighed by their speed and certainty.